Are you ok there?

[emmalee]

This is how 99% of the staff in our store approach a customer. I am going to ban this approach, as I know from an earlier thread that its a lazy way of starting a conversation, and totally fake. You lot know what you want and how you like to be treated when out shopping. Can you give suggestions on how we might approach you? We are an outlet jewellers and have to greet and approach every customer who enters the store. Cheers

[tiggertan]

Good morning/afternoon, is there anything I can help you with today?
Good morning/afternoon, if you require any assistance, please feel free to ask any member of staff.
Hope these help!
X.

[hotpink]

it doesn't matter what the staff say, its always going to bug someone. not all customers are the same, are they? the staff just have to think of a greeting that will apply to the customer they are approaching. a young couple may prefer a casual 'hello there', whereas an older gentleman may like a 'good afternoon, sir'. thats what i think anyway

[rabbitygirl]

Communication is not just about talking. Body language is very important. Colleagues, shop assistants etc. may talk the talk but you can tell from body language when they actually couldn't give a flying fig about your needs. Watch for examples yourselves.

[sophie_1003]

You can't script a good way of approaching customers, when I worked at comet we had two options 1. "Have you found what you're looking for?" or 2. "Is someone looking after you?" although they were polite they inevitably lead to sarky responses! I would suggest that each customer is greeted with a smile and "Hello/ Good afternoon" then if they look like they need help another smile and "Hello/ Good afternoon" and a simple "Can I help you at all?"

[spudqueen]

I used to work for Warner Bros store and they had the 'Acme' policy which was
A - Acknowledge the customer (hello, or good morning or afternoon with a smile suffices)
C - converse with the customer - ie let them get through the door (after you've acknowledged them) , let them have a quick look before descending on them. You can use different tactics, eg are you looking for something for yourself (they may be looking for a present), or that's a lovely necklace isn't it?
M - Meet the customers needs - that means that if they say for example that they are looking for a present then ask the age of the person they are buying for, how much they want to spend etc then you can help them choose something.
E - end the transaction. This means that when they've bought (or decided that there is nothing in your shop for them) politely move on to another customer, ie don't get trapped in pointless conversation about some irrelavant thing!

[Sasha13]

Best way to do it in my opinion?? Along the lines of what spudqeen said (American companies like WB almost always have a structure in place for something like this). Say a simple 'Hello' to every customer who enters the store so that they have been acknowledged. Then, if a customer starts to look at a product, i.e. a necklace, ask them a question such as 'are you shopping for a special occasion?' or 'would you like to try that on?' or similar. It's a nice, personal approach, people who just want to browse can feel comfortable saying 'no', it lets you find out what a customer is looking for so you can start selling effectively, and above all, it's personal.

[Sasha13]

Ooh, and by the way, I have to disagree with spudqueen's last point - at the end of the transaction I always think it's nice to carry on a conversation for a little while - especially if the customer has spent lots of money. So, if they had just bought an engagement ring or something, while the transaction was being processed you could carry on talking to them by saying 'so, when's the wedding, where etc' then at the end say you hope they both have a lovely day or similar.