Only 40% of UK shoppers think their favourite retailers provide a good or great customer experience, and accurately anticipate their needs, according to new research.
The research, commissioned by data-driven marketing technology company Zeta Global, asked over 3,000 UK adults about their shopping preferences and experiences. The study was conducted so that retailers can better understand what their customers expect in terms of service and experience, and how they can respond more effectively to their shoppers’ needs in a complex and constantly changing competitive retailer landscape.
The study, conducted for the company by Sapio Research, also found that nearly half (48%) of respondents considered their retail experience to be merely ‘average’, while a further 11% believe that their favourite shops provide poor service, and they have to shop around as a result – clearly highlighting a massive opportunity for retailers to set themselves apart.
Other key findings from this report include:
– 81% of UK consumers have confirmed they are more likely to go on to buy if a store recognises them as a previous customer and offers relevant discounts
– Almost two-fifths of shoppers would be less inclined to shop around if they received a personalised service
– 63% of UK shoppers have bought items as a direct result of a communication from a retailer
– Customers have high service expectations of retailers – 87% of people expect an answer back within 24 hours from a store if they complain
The full report, entitled Content, context and trust: Identifying the golden customer opportunities for retail marketing, also highlights key gaps that retailers have in their ability to anticipate shopper needs which need to be met, such as expectations of a joined up online and in store experience. It demonstrates how retailers who react quickly to customer demands will be rewarded by happier, more loyal shoppers.
Jill Brittlebank, Senior Director – Strategy & Analytics of Zeta Global comments:
“Clearly, retailers continue to face challenges in being able to acknowledge their customers and understand how they interact with the brand – online, in a physical location, or when they interact through social media. Retailers need to be able to spot these interactions and acknowledge quickly, or there is a real risk that time-pressured and demanding UK shoppers will take their customer to retailers that can.
“This research highlights just how critical it has become for stores to understand their customers, and put this knowledge systematically to work throughout their organisations to enhance customer service, experience and engagement. If this doesn’t happen, they will lose ground to competitors.”
Research methodology
Research data was commissioned by Zeta Global and collected through an online research survey by Sapio Research in January 2017, from a nationally representative sample of 3,030 UK adults aged 18+.
About Zeta Global
Recently ranked as a ‘Visionary’ in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, Zeta is an award winning Customer Lifecycle Marketing Company best known for helping brands unlock the value in their data to deliver the best customer experience. Zeta simplifies complex marketing challenges with a strong platform, data, analytics, and professional services, collaborating with world leading brands to help them acquire, grow and keep customers. Its marketing platform, Zeta Hub, is a multichannel marketing solution that unifies data to drive return on investment. Zeta understands the challenges of large enterprises focused on results and specialises in retail, financial services and travel sectors, to name a few. Zeta differentiates with an aggressively data-driven approach to cross-channel marketing optimisation, enabled by its proprietary database, professional support and services.