Times, they are a-changing. Or are they?
We hear news of retail giants like Target downsizing store square footage and JC Penney and Walmart closing stores. The banking industry is being transformed by digital experiences. And even how we shop for groceries is changing.
Will these changes have an effect on the mystery shopping industry?
Absolutely!
But not in a negative way.
Bottom line is, the retailer, banker, restaurateur or business owner will always need to know about their customer’s experiences.
And that is the service that only mystery shopping can provide.
Big Business-Big Data
Big business is driven by big data. Mystery shopping and auditing experiences provide data that cannot be captured with feedback surveys, focus groups or traditional market research.
The honest, unbiased experience of a mystery shopper provides another level of unique information to management of an organization.
So, whether the experience is in a brick and mortar store, through a call center or an on-line purchase, management will need to know what it is, how it happened and how it made, you, the objective customer, feel.
What it Means for Mystery Shoppers
- Strong businesses are mystery shopping and will continue to mystery shop as their business models evolve and develop. Those who keep their finger on the pulse of the customer will thrive as they change.
- Despite the move to eat fresh and cook food ourselves, restaurants will not be going away. Their menus and cooking methods will change and adjust as our tastes and habits are transformed. As long as people eat, there will be restaurants to mystery shop.
- Companies that provide services for your car, your finances, your health, your children, your hair, your pet and even your dry cleaning will continue to want to know what the customer is experiencing.
Mystery shopping will not disappear. It will change and evolve as our buying, eating and service habits change, but it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon!
So continue to follow our suggestions of signing on with as many companies as possible, consider route shopping or video shopping, and get involved with groups and forums on Facebook – including ours!
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Do you know someone who would be a good mystery shopper? Please forward this post to them! You’ll be sharing the wealth and spreading happiness! And, after all, isn’t that what we all want?