customer service

Power of Loyalty

A gift shop’s bottom line can sometimes live and die by repeat business, as loyal customers come more frequently and typically spend more on a given visit. That’s why savvy retailers take part in some... more »

A Customer Service Gem for You

At Zingerman’s we’re big fans of clear expectation and simple, teachable and trackable tools. We find that they are invaluable no matter who we share them with — tenured employees, newbies, skeptics, enthusiasts, introverts, extroverts.... more »

Creating customer relationships

A woman came up to me after my keynote at a conference the other day asking how she could compete against online retailers. She relayed a story about how she spent time getting a shopper... more »

A Little Bit of Everything

Avon Park, FL - When you enter The Daisy Girl Shop in downtown Avon Park, owner Dennis Mungall greets you, inquiring how you’d like your coffee. “I also have tea and hot chocolate,” he continues,... more »

Small-business Q&A: Personal Touch Can Draw Repeat Customers

Q: I own a women's clothing and accessories boutique. We'll be participating in Small Business Saturday again this year. Last year my sales that day were higher than normal, but didn't really translate into many... more »

Hannah! and Her Shop: Lessons from a Career Retailer

Princeton, NJ - Despite what they say, customer service is alive and well.You just might have to go out of your way to find it sometimes.But if you venture down the row of unique shops... more »

Silver and Smiles: A Good Way to Run a Jewelry Store

When Leslie Sink walks into a store or a coffee shop, she notices if the worker at the counter fails to acknowledge her.She doesn’t like it.At the four Hi-Ho Silver jewelry stores that she and... more »

Customer Service is Secret of The Popinjay’s Success

Olympia, WA - Take note, business beginners. This is how it’s done.The gift store Popinjay, which has had a store in downtown Olympia for 27 years, has survived the ups and downs of downtown, weathered... more »