Customer Appreciation!

Consumers play an important role in sustaining the viability of a business. If a business does not attract new customers or sustain the customers they already have then their profits will decline.

In fact, many consumers do not realize the power they have to choose where to shop and what to buy. There are many companies that offer similar goods and services, so in order to make a profit consumers must be offered incentives to encourage them to be loyal to a particular company.

Loyalty is a highly valued commodity as I personally know of persons who will drive past several supermarkets to shop at a specific one. Sometimes they are attracted by lowered prices but there are other intangible reasons that maintain customer loyalty.

When customers feel as if they are valued and play a part in the success of the company, they will be more inclined to continue to support that business.

Simple things can make all the difference in the very competitive marketplace. For example, providing customers with small comforts such as pleasant interactions with staff, special discounts for regular customers and customer appreciation days goes a long way in assuring customers that they are very important to them.

Recently I visited Woolworth off Constant Spring Road and was pleased to see that they were having a customer appreciation promotion. Customers were treated to pens and candy as well as free offers on selected items. It was a small gesture perhaps but it does play a part in making customers feel special.

Customers smiled a bit more as they did their regular shopping and there was certainly a bit more enthusiasm among staff as everyone benefited from the arrangement.

Are businesses doing enough to show their appreciation?

It would be appreciated if more companies offered their regular customers special discounts. I noticed for example that MegaMart Wholesale Club had sent out emails to its members which showed a listing of its upcoming specials.

It would have been even better if they had emailed a code for special discounts that were only accessible by their members who choose to communicate with them in this way.

So what’s your take on customer appreciation?

What would you like to see implemented? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: customer appreciation, discounts