5 Ways to Improve Customer Service During the Holiday Season

By Alayna Larson - Digital Marketer
Posted on September 20, 2023

The busiest season of the year for retailers is just around the corner. Keeping your customers happy and satisfied is the key to a successful holiday season. Follow these tips for excellent customer service and knock this shopping season out of the park.

1. Train and Inform Your Staff

The worst thing for a customer to experience is when they approach an employee with a question and that employee is unable to give them an accurate answer. To avoid this, host a team meeting and make sure your staff is caught up on all the new products, technology, coupons, discounts, etc.

2. Clearly Define Roles

To ensure that no department is left without an employee, clearly define what role each member of your staff will be taking on. Having an employee in every department is key to answer questions, restock merchandise, and keep the area straightened and free of debris. If you have an employee who is an expert in a certain area, be sure to place them in that role.

3. Be Transparent

Clearly inform your customers of your store’s exchange/return policy. Ensure that there is no confusion on either end to avoid complications at a later date. If a customer is asking for a product that is out-of-stock, let them know when they can expect it to be back in stock and provide them with an easy way of obtaining it.

4. Set Goals

Employee morale is bound to drop at some point during the holiday season. Set goals for your staff to work towards and provide them with an incentive to get it done! For example, the cashier with the most rewards sign ups at the end of the day receives a gift card to their favorite restaurant.

5. Express Gratitude

Be sure to thank your customers for choosing to shop at your store. After all, you wouldn’t be here without them! A little gratitude can go a long way, especially during the holiday season. Consider sending them an extra coupon as a thank you for coming and an incentive to return.

Make holiday shopping as easy as possible for you and your customers. By following these tips and implementing them into your customer service strategy, your holiday season will be a breeze!