Customer Service

As with telemedicine for healthcare and online learning for education, digital customer experience (CX) for retail is now a mission-critical path for operational continuity amid the global pandemic. Companies dependent on physical locations that didn't successfully transform their business model for digital are particularly vulnerable to worsening economic forecasts. Among other shortcomings that amassed nearly $1.7 billion…

Recent weeks have brought unprecedented change into all our lives. Most of us are spending more time at home and less time engaging with others in social and work settings. We're restricting trips to stores to just essentials, and that reduces our social exchanges even more. The face-to-face human interactions that made up the fabric…

With COVID-19 causing the majority of retailers to close up shop, and drastic social distancing measures required for those that remain open, many consumers have put a stop to all unnecessary outings and are looking to their favorite brands for remote service and support during this difficult time. In a new Qudini survey of 2,000-plus…

With social distancing measures in place and sanitization precautions a major priority, "human touch" is probably the last thing customers want or expect from retailers right now. But what about the human voice? It's more important than ever. In fact, service demand levels are spiking at companies across the board right now, even doubling in…

For many years, customer experience experts have stressed the importance of balancing the convenience of self-service and digital channels, with the loyalty-building power of human interaction. Stein Mart, a national specialty omnichannel off-price retailer offering designer and name-brand fashion apparel, home décor, accessories and shoes at everyday discount prices, aimed to harness the best of…

In the midst of mounting uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the presidential election, and other stressors, customer service needs to be dialed up now more than ever. In the retail industry, with more employees working from home and less shoppers visiting physical stores, the time is now for brands to strengthen their direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) mind-set.…

Customer support is evolving at a rapid rate, and many brands are reimagining the impact that a retailer’s support team can have on their customer’s experience and their overall business. However, while there's plenty of change happening today, it’s critical for brands to always keep an eye on the trends impacting tomorrow. Here's a look…

Retailers hoping to succeed in today’s market need to appeal to an influential and powerful group: millennial and Generation Z consumers. To do this, they need to provide top-notch customer support. These demographics already wield enormous spending power, and will continue to do so for years. Retailers can go a long way toward captivating these…

Chatbots and other artificial intelligence-assisted customer service tools continue to grow exponentially as retailers look to improve efficiencies. The benefits of chatbots and electronic systems for businesses are relatively straightforward: less time spent monitoring communication channels, less expensive customer service solutions, and even the ability to grow by converting potential customers. Some analysts believe chatbots…

In episode 232 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Laurie Simpter, senior manager of customer relations at Pier 1 Imports, an omnichannel retailer of unique, decorative home furnishings, decor and gifts. Listen in as Simpter discusses the challenges many retailers face when handling customer service phone calls, including staffing, especially during peak holiday times.…