Is Your Store Customer-Oriented?

If you were the customer, would you come back to your store? That may sound like an odd question but if you answer honestly, it can help improve any slump in sales you might have experienced. Friendly, courteous service is important in every retail store, but far more important in a dollar store business, where there’s so much more competition.

When the customer checks out, does the cashier smile and engage them in a few words of conversation? Do you or your employees help shoppers locate items they want or ask if they want help? Do you make certain you thank each customer for his or her business? These are small things but extremely important. Your customer is your boss and if you treat each one with that type of respect, you’ll find your shoppers come back more frequently.

Is your store organized and clean? There’s nothing worse than going into a store and feeling as though you need to shower when you leave. Keeping a store clean is similar to keeping a house clean when you have several toddlers. However, instead of following the customer around the store, periodically make a sweep of the entire store, picking up trash, returning items to their proper location and any other task deemed necessary. Get a commercial grade non-electric sweeper similar to those used in restaurants and use it when you have a break in the flow of customers. Even if there are a few customers in the store, it won’t bother them. In fact, it might impress them.

Do your store hours coincide with your customer’s free time? If you open your doors at nine and close up shop at five, you’ll miss much of the business from working individuals. You might open later and close later, keep the store open later on certain nights—either ones that coincide with paydays or the hours of stores close to your business. You can even adjust your store hours for holiday seasons.

Is your store visually alluring? Attractive displays and well-lighted organized aisles make shoppers feel comfortable when visiting your store. It should have an upbeat appealing appearance, but also be well organized. If you have Christmas items in one area, don’t forget to have a display of tape there too as a reminder. You can sell more ancillary products by considering every aspect of your organization. Make certain you keep the shelves stocked throughout the day and carry all the core items your customers need to keep them returning.