The one thing we can be sure of is that change is certain. As much as we would like to ignore it, we know that those who don’t move with the tide get left behind. Catching up can be an expensive and sometimes futile undertaking. So we keep up.  But for brands, it’s not just about keeping up, but about being one step ahead that secures a competitive advantage.

Consumers are inundated with new product options and latest research to help inform their buying habits.  To understand the ever changing consumer mindset requires timely customer insights. Effectively using these insights enables brands to continuously learn and adapt their strategies to satisfy customers and ultimately increase sales. Unsurprisingly there are more often than not elements that can’t be influenced, however there are multiple aspects that brands can consider to leverage a competitive advantage.

Mystery shopper companies can be beneficial in helping uncover just such opportunities.

Assessing the lay of the land

Understanding customers buying patterns allows brands to test and improve their customer retention strategies. It also helps brands to evaluate the effectiveness of new customer acquisition practices that are being used, not only for their own products, but also to get an idea of what their competitors may be doing. Having a first-hand objective account of how consumers experience your brand or business allows you to look at the plain unadorned facts, without concealment or embellishment.

Your eyes and ears on the ground

Having mystery shoppers in store enables brands to check your product displays and promotions.  They can assess how effective and knowledgeable staff are in everything from converting new customers through to dealing with angry customers and resolving complaints.

Swift and affordable

The instant feedback loop is invaluable in remaining relevant. Unlike other research which can be lengthy and expensive and at times sector generic, mystery shopping can be tailored to your needs and budget. This allows you to achieve your objective within the timeframes and budgets allocated.

Armed with this knowledge and data, enables brands to benchmark their strengths and weakness compared to that of their competitors. Through using the insights gained from a mystery shopping programme brands are able to implement changes or pursue missed revenue opportunities that have been identified. This inevitably has a positive impact on customer satisfaction and retention which in turn has the knock-on effect of increased sales and profits.

The level of insight gained from mystery shopping surpasses any desk research or generalised trend reports. It is unique to your location, demographic and market allowing you to effectively integrate this knowledge with the broader strategy delivering a more personalised and relevant experience for your consumers, which gives you the ultimate advantage.