Don't Blame The Internet

At a local shop, I asked for a price of an item. There were two on the shelf with no price.

FOUR sales personnel were chatting with each other at the desk. They looked at each other and finally decided the item should go into storage because they had no price, no one to ask, no customerservice system.

I left the store and found the item in 20 seconds online.

Do not blame the internet for the empty stores you see in your neighborhood.

TRAIN YOUR STAFF!  ....and why did this store need more staff then registers or customers anyway?

SECRET SHOP YOUR STORE: If you can't afford a service, ask a friend.

Give a friend a gift from your store or a local restaurant and ask them to check a list of what's important. Here's a list to get you started:
1. Was the sales area neat?
2. What were the staff doing?
3. Did anyone greet you?
4. Did anyone offer to help you?
5. Did you feel welcome?
6. Did the staff talk to you during your visit?
7. Did anyone make suggestions during your visit?

Use the results to train your staff and reward them for increased sales that result from their efforts.

The fact that someone enters your store is huge! Your staff needs to understand that it is a privilege to serve your customers. 

They need to be reminded, often, how return customers make a difference to the success of the store and their job.

If someone shops local,  they enjoy building a relationship with you and like to know they matter. Make them feel that way and you won't need to fear the internet.
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