Let's rewind to a decade ago when tech and e-commerce were hailed as the ultimate cost-saving solutions, promising to revolutionize the retail landscape. But here's the twist: instead of viewing them as tools to enhance the shopping experience, many jumped on the bandwagon of replacing employees and cutting store count to save. Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing a fascinating turnaround.
Brands are now realizing the irreplaceable value of choice and the in-store experience. Those frontline store associates? They're not just staff; they're your brand ambassadors, providing invaluable qualitative insights that no dataset can match.
It's all about offering curated choices to customers, just like the option of self-checkout. However, greatly reducing traditional checkout lanes in favor of self-service while store employees are corralling the self-checkout line is a misstep.
Take Target, for instance, while I love their merchandising, their recent announcements of a 10-item limit and increased surveillance tactics leaves much to be desired. These decisions, driven by the bottom line, are alienating customers rather than winning their loyalty.
Brands, it's time to shift the focus back to what truly matters: the customer. Every decision should be made with their best interests in mind. By prioritizing customer satisfaction, you not only build a solid foundation for success, but also create a shopping experience that stands out in today's competitive landscape.
#retail #selfcheckout #omni #stores #brandambassadors #retailinsights #truscan
Five Below Dollar General
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🙌 🎉 Maybe next time we see Michael Yamartino there, there will be some bell ringing 😁