On Friday the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that footfall declined by 1.7% year on year in September, as hot weather and the cost of living crisis impacted high street shopping habits.
Nick Delis, Senior VP of International and Strategic Business at Five9 emphasises that retailers needn’t lose hope, with Christmas just around the corner.
Nick describes how retailers can capitalise on the critical Golden Quarter ahead and put the sparkle back into customer service.
Nick said, “The start of the Golden Quarter has been less of a festive firecracker and more of a damp squib with stores struggling to tempt shoppers to the high streets, as September’s underwhelming figures show. But it’s not all doom and gloom. With the countdown to Christmas well underway, we may well see shoppers become more comfortable spending on non-essentials as inflation begins to wane and food prices fall.
“So, what matters most for retailers right now? To avoid a bleak winter tale, retailers need to double down on customer loyalty and help thrifty customers do more with less. They need to focus on creating joy for shoppers across every touchpoint. This requires creative action with empathy at its heart.
“Retailers need to think outside the box. Lower price points can attract more sales in the short-term but aren’t the only secret to brand loyalty. Personalised customer experiences, helpful and happy sales assistants, and a sprinkling of festive in store magic will all be key parts of the puzzle this Christmas.”
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