High-quality customer service is preached by many, but actually keeping customers happy is easier said than done. Shoppers seldom complain to the manager or owner of a retail store , but instead will warn their friends, relatives, co-workers, strangers and anyone who will listen. Store managers are often the last to hear complaints. "Storytelling hurts retailers  and entertains consumers," said Paula Courtney, President of the Verde group. "The store loses the customer, but _ ." The most common complaints include filled parking lots, cluttered shelves, overloaded racks, out-of-stock items, long check-out lines, and rude sales people. During peak shopping hours, some retailers solved the parking problems by getting moonlighting  local police to work as parking attendants to direct customers to empty parking spaces. Retailers can relieve the headaches by redesigning store display, pre-stocking sales items, hiring speedy and experienced cashiers, and having sales representatives on hand to answer questions. Most importantly, sales people should be skillful and polite with angry customers. "Retailers who're enthusiastic and friendly are more likely to smooth over issues than those who aren't so friendly." said Professor Stephen Hoch. "Maybe something as a greeter at the store entrance would help." Customers can also improve future shopping experiences by filling complaints to the retailer, instead of complaining to the rest of the world. Retailers are hard-pressed to improve when they have no idea what is wrong. What contributes most to smoothing over issues with customers?
Hiring of efficient employees. Manners of the salespeople. Huge supply of goods for sale. Design of the store display.