Retail bodies insist on good customer service

In amongst the ever growing fashion platform, multi channel offerings and focus on ecommerce, leading industry bodies are calling for retailers not to forget their basic principles. Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail have

called for retailers to remember ‘good old’ customer service in these changing and varying times. So much so, the bodies will hold a conference next week, detailing the continued significance of outstanding customer service and what it means in today’s multichannel environment.

Taking place at the Centre Point venue, one top speaker will be Nick Robertson, founder of Asos.com discussing how customer service remains a cornerstone of successful businesses and ensures consistency across all channels of any expanding company – infact according to Robertson, online customers are equally as demanding as in-store shoppers.

Indeed leading figures are no longer taking customer service as something associated with in store experiences but part of a larger retail activism movement. General Marketing Manager for Westfield UK Myf Ryan will also speak at next week’s event about the use of WorldHost, a customer services tool used to train all concierge staff in the importance of customer service and interaction. It comes even after the new Westfield Stratford has been focusing on digital platforms to entice the new category of consumers or ‘social shoppers.’

Anne Seaman, CEO of Skillsmart Retail, explained the significance of customer focus, saying: “Retail is more than just bricks and mortar; it is now a multichannel business. “Customers expect fantastic service whether they waiting at the checkout or shopping from their sofa. Retailers can no longer view customer service as an optional extra. It is the differentiating factor for a successful business and growing numbers of retailers are looking for excellence in customer service.”