Greeting customers in the best possible manner creates the right first impression and is the first step towards making a sale.

1. 4 Aspects to Keep in Mind When Greeting Customers at Your Retail Store
Greetingcustomers inthe bestpossiblemannercreatesthe rightfirstimpressionandisthe firststep
towardsmakinga sale. It isessential thatthe staff atyour retail store properlywelcomesandgreets
customersbecause ahappycustomerismore likelytonotonlybuymore butwill returnforfuture
purchases.
Greetingisone of the most importantelements of communicationthatgeneratespositive interactions
betweentwopeople. Here are some vital aspectstokeepinmindwhengreetingcustomersatyour
retail outlet.
Focus on Your Body Language
Thisis the firstthingthat a customerwill notice aboutyou.How you’re dressedup,yourfacial
expression, yourposture,and the wayyoustand.So itdoesn’tcome as a surprise whenwe see smartly
dressedconfidentlookingsalespersonnel readytogreetcustomersin retail stores.
Rightfrom the time whenacustomerentersyourstore,yourbodylanguage influencesthe customer’s
perception of yourbusinessasitcreatesthe firstimpression.If youremployeesare lazyandsitting
aroundslumpedintheirchairs,this will create anegative image aboutyourbusiness. A negative image
can in turn,harm yoursalesas well asreputationinthe market.

2. Have a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude isessentialforthose workingin customerservice.The willingnesstogo-the-extra-
mile isinstrumentalforthe successof yourretail store as it setsthe foundationfordeliveringexcellent
customercare.
Havinga positive,helpful andfriendlyapproachshouldbe partof the traininggiventoyouremployees,
so that theyknowhowimportantitisto make the customerfeel welcomedatyourstore. In essence,
the attitude of employeestowardscustomersshouldbe suchthatof a hostwelcoming aguest.Basic
acts of friendlinesssuchasholdingopenthe doorforcustomers,andofferingtohelpthemmakesall the
difference.
Show Empathy to Your Customers
Empathyis the abilityof apersonto understandanotherperson’sconditionfromtheirperspective.Itis
the art of placingyourself inanotherperson’sshoestounderstandtheirfeelings.
For customerservice personnel,havingempathyisof the utmostimportance because itgivesthemthe
abilitytounderstand,andgauge the customer’sresponsetotheirgreetings.
An example of asalespersonmissingoutoncreatinga healthyexperience foracustomerby not
showinganyempathyis whenhe/she constantlyfollowsthe customeraroundthe store aftergreeting,
pesteringhim/herwithquestions,andnotrecognizingthe factthatthe customerisclearlyannoyedby
this.
Hence,itis essentialforyouremployeestomake sure thattheyunderstandcustomer’sreactions. If a
customeravoidsanswering the employee’squestions,orsaysthathe or she is‘justlookingaround’,it
clearlymeansthatthe customerwantsto have a lookaroundwithoutthe needoranyassistance at the
moment. Itisbestfor salespeople tojustletthe customerknow thatthey’ll be aroundthe corneror the
aisle,if theyneedanyassistance.
RememberingYourCustomersis Crucial
Nothingmakesacustomerhappierthanhavinga salespersonrememberthemfromthe lasttime they
were inthe store. Alwaysremembertogreeta returningcustomerwithasmile andaddressingthemby
theirnames.Thisgivesthemafeelingthatyourbusinesstruly valuesthem. Stellarcustomerservice,in
essence,isaboutgreatrelationshipmanagement.
Research conductedbyMcKinseysuggeststhat 70% of buyingexperiencesare basedonhow the
customerfeels he orshe is beingtreated,whichgoesontoshow the importance of trainedsales
personnel.
If your employeesare successfullyable tocreate a healthyandprofessional relationshipwithyour
customers,itwill create more loyalty andgenerate more revenueforyourstore.Everycustomerwhois
welcomedandmade tofeel comfortableatthe store,will become anassetforyourbusiness.