With retail and department stores looking to gain an edge over the competition, companies will often hire mystery shoppers. These shoppers will encounter specific tasks and shopping lists, as well as engage in some associate interaction. Companies often utilize this information and formulate it into research they can use to better serve their customer base. Below are 7 of the advantages that mystery shopping provides to both a company and the customer.

Increasing Sales

One of the biggest advantages mystery shopping provides a company is an increase in sales. Companies can send reps and shoppers into stores to observe product merchandising, associate to customer interactions, and other such gradable attributes. The company then takes this information and plugs it into a formula to gauge where they are lacking consistency. The increase in sales is a direct correlate of increased profitability.

Quality of Feedback

Most companies utilize a customer survey that can be utilized to assess where the customer's needs are. These ranking scales are also used to gauge the overall satisfaction within a company as a singular unit. Compiling all of this information in a suitable form often takes years of perfecting, which is why the mystery shopper provides better intel. They are put directly into the shoes of the consumer and can visualize and verbalize areas where the store lacks focus. Whether it be specific product placement or product availability, the mystery shopper provides a specified report that can be utilized by the company to better find ways to heighten their service standards.

Compensation

One of the ways that mystery shopping makes sense from a company standpoint is the priceless feedback provided. Companies will often shell out large amounts of money or products if they can increase their profits over time. Becoming a mystery shopper is as simple as filling out an online application or downloading an application via the iTunes store or Google Play library. Many companies will service through second party applications, allowing their mystery shoppers to discreetly claim opportunities and get paid in quick fashion. This represents a good side gig for those looking for that little extra on their monthly income.

Set to Standards

Many department stores and retailers will often follow specific store layouts. These layouts differ across the size of the store, but most of the product presentation remains fluid up and down the store. To better assess the follow through will these designs, the mystery shopper can assess the spacing, merchandising, and presentation of the product. They can assure the company that they are aligned with certain company standards, sticking to the correct plan-o-grams or desired designs. This is a crucial piece in terms of sales and service, as the availability of the product in the correct locations is one of the customer's main concerns when shopping. The brick and mortar locations set themselves apart from the competition when their formatting meets the correct requirements in store.

Keeping Up with the Employees

There is no better way to assess associate involvement and behavior. Mystery shoppers can gain insight without being spotted. They can help a company dissolve an ongoing issue or apprehend a dishonest associate or worker. This crucial investigative work is used to better the service standards across the employees working for the company. Service is one of the main things that companies are graded on, so taking care of any issues behind-the-scenes is a great way to ensure this percentage value remains high.

Gauging the Competition

One of the ways that companies gain insights into other retailers is through the use of a secret shopper. They can assess an entire building from customer interactions to set-up. This is a great tool for companies to locate the areas where they lack and act on these findings. Sending someone in to observe the practice at another company is completely legal within the business world. Often times companies will use this information to hedge initiatives that are similar to that of another company. These advantages become useful when looking at profitability come the end of the fiscal year.

Making Shopping Fun for Users

The last way mystery shoppers are used is for pure visibility and an increased consumer base. Companies will often offer mystery shops for certain products. This can help sales during a down period. It is almost like cutting or clipping coupons, but the companies will use these offers to get people into their stores. Foot traffic is one of the biggest determinants of getting people to purchase items. If the company can get the consumer into their store, they are that much more likely to secure a sale from the visit.

Summary

With the many different ways that mystery shoppers are used, it is clear to see why companies are continuing these initiatives. The valuable information gained is directly correlated to increased sales and profitability. The knowledge that is delivered to the company gives them first-hand examples of interactions between customers and their associates. Companies also gain the ability to track their standards to ensure all of their stores are delivering the correct message and setting their areas to the correct directives. Mystery shopping also provides the company with more foot traffic and a higher likelihood of a purchase from these visits. One of the top leaders in the industry in providing mystery shoppers is the ScoutMI Mystery Shoppers team. Their program provides many different results for companies and helps lead to a better understanding of company perspectives.