Are you listening to your customer?

Craig Patterson
Craig Patterson
Now located in Toronto, Craig is a retail analyst and consultant at the Retail Council of Canada. He's also the Director of Applied Research at the University of Alberta School of Retailing in Edmonton. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for the past 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees. He is also President & CEO of Vancouver-based Retail Insider Media Ltd.

More By Author

Uniqlo Opens Massive Downtown Montreal Flagship as it Enters the Quebec Market [Photos]

The impressive store is the first of several expected for the province as Uniqlo expands further into Canada.

Hudson’s Bay Company Announces Division to Redevelop Real Estate Assets

The real estate arm will transform some stores into mixed-use properties featuring offices, housing, entertainment, and retail space.

Miniso Canada Investors Protest Chinese Parent Company

Local investors claim that the company is acting fraudulently after an alleged settlement with the Canadian division.

Menswear Retailer ‘Ernest’ Unveils New Concept Store in Montreal Following Creditor Protection Filing [Photos]

The retailer's new store concept is a refresh for the retailer which had successfully negotiated store leases following its filing last month.
- Advertisement -


By Eric Nykamp CEO of Raange, Inc., Guest Columnist

Let’s Talk! Email Me @: Contact_Me@raange.com; Text Me @: (514) 613-3324 with Keyword ‘Listen’

I love talking about the customer lifecycle because I spend my days acting as the bridge connecting my clients with their customers.

And sometimes I’m left wondering if we’re truly listening to the customer, not customers – each unique customer. It doesn’t seem like it.

I cringe as companies blast one message across an entire database. Your database should be your lifeline. Your golden ticket to loyalty, to sales targets and to increased customer lifetime value.

Demand Better Results From Your Database

You’ve invested so much time and effort into building this beautiful database full of loyal clientele, not to mention the team you invest in (operating costs) to craft the perfect communique for distribution; you should never risk letting one message push customers away and diminish your brand.

The larger your database, the more powerful your ROI should be.

I’m not talking figuratively either, according to a recent 2017 Mobile Consumer Report retailers found that their average database subscriber spends over $300 a year more than customers who haven’t opted-in.

Optimizing the way you utilize your database to increase retention will drive better customer engagement and sales.

How Do You Make Amends with your Database? Commit to Personalization.

New Adlucent research found that consumers prefer a personalized advertising experience and that 71% of respondents prefer ads tailored to interests and shopping habits.

Personalization powered by preferences.

Quite often we make decisions backed by research-driven assumptions, when sometimes you just have to ask your customers what they want. Sounds old school, but it works.

Businesses need to start collecting unique customer preference data. By giving each customer control over the information s/he receives, you can ensure they get the information they want.

Collecting preferences to power a personalized experience is a good approach to showing each customer that you are listening.


Eric Nykamp is CEO of Raange, Inc., Founder at Mamoth-Group, TAARGA, RAANGE and Mamoth-Labs! Internet Strategist, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Investor, Husband, Father, Insomniac.

My goal is to elevate traditional brick & mortar retailers to quickly and easily transition to the latest marketing concepts and communication channels, to rebuild trusted dialogue with their past, present, and future customers.

More ideas & rants found here: Retail Innovation News.

 

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: August 9, 2017

 

*Partner content. To work with Retail Insider, email: craig@retail-insider.com

SUBSCRIBE to Retail Insider's Daily E-News for Free:

* indicates required
- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

Latest articles

Brief: Mendocino Shuts All Stores, Okaïdi Canada Files

Other news: Gap closing most mall stores, co-working space replaces Shinola store, Star Bédard rebrands, Nobis gets charitable.

Grocery Supplier Fees Harm Food Manufacturers and Independent Grocers: Expert

Sylvain Charlebois says that a code of practice is required to save the industry, and if nothing is done the consumer will also suffer.

L.L.Bean Continues Canadian Expansion with 1st Toronto Store [Photos]

The iconic US-based retailer is looking to expand into new Canadian markets coast-to-coast.

How Twin Brothers from Western Canada Founded 2 Rapidly-Growing Direct-to-Consumer Home Furnishings Brands

The entrepreneurs discuss building growth, taking risks, and where retail is going at an unprecedented time.

Cadillac Fairview Innovates with Virtual Food Court Experience Platform

The new CF Eats aims to help food vendors in the landlord’s malls grow revenue at a challenging time.