Survey: Shoppers prefer small retailers to national chains (From Bucks Free Press)
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Survey: Shoppers prefer small retailers to national chains
10:50am Friday 5th February 2010 in
THREE quarters of Marlow shoppers prefer shopping at small, independent retailers than at the big national chains, a study shows.
Customer service is “far superior” because staff are more approachable and knowledgeable about products and prices, according to TheBestOf survey.
It found shoppers “loved the personal service” they get at smaller firms, while bigger companies were 'not fully equipped' to deal with questions or queries and most staff lacked training.
Those who were polled hit out at big name brands for being too pre-occupied with making money and having no time for their customers.
Sixty per cent of survey participants from Marlow said they have had an argument with someone in a large national company due to poor customer service.
Consumers are being encouraged by the organisation behind it to vote online in a seperate poll for their favorite stores in the Marlow area.
The website displays which stores are currently leading the ‘Love-O-Meter’.
Voters have until Valentines day to show their appreciation of their most valued small businesses.
Gill Chappell from TheBestOf Marlow, which champions local businesses, said: "This survey shows that big companies just don’t cut it when it comes to customer service, product knowledge or experience.
“They are routinely outclassed by small local firms who are much better at providing the personal touch that Brits value.”
She added: “'It's all about showing some love and appreciation to the great small business owners in Marlow, that have kept our economy going over the last 18 months and who look after their customers brilliantly.”
Design Solutions & Interiors Information is currently top of the Marlow poll.
Similar polls have been conducted for High Wycombe and Beaconsfield.
To have your say on which business is top in your town go to http://www.thebestof.co.uk/loveometer/ByTown.aspx.
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Survey: Shoppers prefer small retailers to national chains
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tom.marlow says...
3:59pm Fri 5 Feb 10
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If you had actually had a look at the web site before writing you article you might have noticed that much of it has little to do with shopping.
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There is only one shop amongst all the companies listed for Marlow. The rest are service providers of one sort or another. The company "Design Solutions & Interiors Information" gives a Maidenhead address on its website.
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If you look on the Wycombe page, it is similarly mostly services.
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In the light of this the headline "Survey: Shoppers prefer small retailers to national chains" is hardly accurate is it.
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And... just in case anyone looks at the Wycombe Page and thinks that the "Plough Masala" would be a good place to go, be warned, it reverted to being a pub some time back and also, its not in Wycombe, its in Marlow :-)
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Slow news day I think.