Getting and Growing Customers during the Holiday Shopping Frenzy

When it came to holiday shopping this year I had only two questions: “is it possible to avoid real stores and do it all online this year?” and “where the heck can I find a Nintendo Wii?”. As promos for “Black Friday” begin showing up as early as October and an abundance of stories emerge in the papers highlighting the joys of holiday shopping - excruciating lines and fights with fellow shoppers over merchandise, it is clear to many that the holiday shopping experience can be a burden.

CRM Buyer recently ran an article “Tips for Surviving the Holiday Shopping Experience” outlining what consumers are looking for to get the most out of a shopping experience. These tips aim to help both consumers and the companies out there - looking for ways to improve time spent in stores.

This article is predicated on the notion that we need help to survive out there in the consumer frenzy. And that’s just it: consumers are now expecting a negative experience. While consumers see this time as a nightmare, I see holiday shopping as a chance for retailers to get and grow their customer base.

The holidays present an opportunity for companies to impress their customers; show them they are different, friendly, helpful, and that they standout from the pack. Surprise your consumers who are expecting to be overwhelmed this holiday season by offering them exceptional customer service and they will be your customers for life.

Making a positive impression on your consumers this holiday season will help build brand loyalty, gain your company a few customer champions, and turn a little extra effort now into better relationships in 2008.