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Anyone here worried about the decline of retail impacting MS opportunities?
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The retailers that invest in mystery shopping appear to also be among those that are financially strong. At least the retail shops I do. So no, I'm not that worried about it.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
This is a very good question and it has been reported in the major media that the mall developers back up plans are to encourage other tenants to fill the retail gap such as branch colleges, DMV offices, amusement type rides, grocery chains, comedy clubs and movie theaters just to name a few, all or most of which are currently shopped.
But it does have ugly consequences already for many of the smaller downtown areas in towns and villages that do not have strip shopping centers and indoor malls. Walk your neighborhood on paper/ cardboard recycling night, and every other house near me has boxes out from Amazon, Home Shopping Network, etc. Very scary to see Sears and Macys in trouble...
But it does have ugly consequences already for many of the smaller downtown areas in towns and villages that do not have strip shopping centers and indoor malls. Walk your neighborhood on paper/ cardboard recycling night, and every other house near me has boxes out from Amazon, Home Shopping Network, etc. Very scary to see Sears and Macys in trouble...
Ahhh... the retail Ice Age. Darwin's theory at work...
The edge retail has over on-line is personal service. Since our reports seem to be strongly oriented toward adequately trained personnel supplying superior personal service (and maintaining that standard), my specious logic tells me the stores that have excellent MSing programs and continue to supply superior personal service will not only survive, but will flourish.
Retail is not the be all and end all of mystery shopping. As some retail assignments have gone away, I've seen growth in other sectors of mystery shopping. For me a retail shop is a filler while I'm running personal errands or on my way to more lucrative assignments.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I have not only been concerned, I have seen and been on the losing end of my largest account pulling out.
Many are leaving as business slows down, stores are closing and online shopping takes over. I'm not naming them, but the famous French designer is a huge loss to me. There are many other retail stores that are no longer using our service which were my #1 source of income in MS'ing. I do (past tense) many reimbursements, so for me retail was my money maker. My daughter and all her working friends shop online 80% of the time, being too busy to fight traffic and the stores. Things have changed, accept it.....
Many are leaving as business slows down, stores are closing and online shopping takes over. I'm not naming them, but the famous French designer is a huge loss to me. There are many other retail stores that are no longer using our service which were my #1 source of income in MS'ing. I do (past tense) many reimbursements, so for me retail was my money maker. My daughter and all her working friends shop online 80% of the time, being too busy to fight traffic and the stores. Things have changed, accept it.....
Live consciously....
I'm like Irene's daughter and friends. After working all day, I'm not willing to fight the traffic and go out shopping. Except for groceries, I shop almost 100% online unless I am mystery shopping. Online is just so convenient and usually cheaper. And Amazon's 2 day delivery is very reliable, and lately they have special offers of one-day delivery.I won't go to a real store unless I get paid for it.
I just made my third online purchase. I bought online (at auction) a beautiful ring, for a minimal fee and expected to return it, but when it arrived, it was gorgeous, and my favorite piece of jewelry. I may become an online shopper, ...one step at a time. I had really become weary of the driving MS'ing requires and the travel time, and pay going down. #fun while it lasted
Live consciously....
I believe that amazon will implement drone shipping in the near future. It's going to be awesome when those MS assignments come up.
Also I believe Amazon applied for a flying warehouse patent a couple months ago. Very interesting.
Also I believe Amazon applied for a flying warehouse patent a couple months ago. Very interesting.
I hope to hell they don't get to start delivering with drones. I don't want my peace or the wildlife here disturbed daily, not to mention the potential hazards of them hitting houses or cars. And all because someone is too impatient to wait a day or two or too lazy to get their ass in the car and drive to a store?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2017 08:21PM by LisaSTL.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2017 08:21PM by LisaSTL.
I just read this article today on the future of retail stores. Very interesting! [www.nytimes.com]
I wouldn't worry about it. There are other shop categories out there, and I don't really do that many retail shops in comparison to other categories anyway. It's evolution. The only thing you can do is adapt.
no prob here since i don't do much retail.
I do not order too much online. I like to see and feel what I am buying.
I'm not concerned. Like bgriff said, the retail stores that are shopped are financially strong. Also, if a retail chain closes, that doesn't mean that people will automatically opt for an online option. They will go to a similar brick and mortar.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I am not worried. I merely wonder about such things. This week, I spent time in cities larger than my little berg. In one city, the mall was bustling. In the other city, the mall was... sleepy. There are many possible factors for this difference. I only know that over the last few decades, these towns have changed mightily, including the scope and appearance/attraction of retail locations. I do not know how the retailers will fare in each area. But this is okay. There are plenty of telephone and online mystery shopping opportunities. Recently, I saw phone, television, online, app, and other shops that did not require brick and mortar presence. Maybe, someday, I will do some of those shops. Like the others, I include multiple job types and do not rely solely upon retail shops.
In a few days, I am taking a two-week staycation. When I emerge, well, drag myself away from reading interspersed with bird-watching, I will look around for additional changes in the retail sector that could affect how I will work in this industry.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2017 01:10AM by Shop-et-al.
In a few days, I am taking a two-week staycation. When I emerge, well, drag myself away from reading interspersed with bird-watching, I will look around for additional changes in the retail sector that could affect how I will work in this industry.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2017 01:10AM by Shop-et-al.
I too shop online quite a bit. However, my daughter and I love spending the day at the big mall, shopping. We've noticed the malls being as crowded as Christmas lately and people are carrying bags. It's hard to feel sorry about the Big Box stores folding, when they pushed the ma & pa stores out of business.
Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.
I wouldn't hold my breathe on drone delivery for the near future. There are too many legal issues involved. [money.cnn.com]
Amazon has been talking about drone delivery for many years but we still have yet to see even the betta version. Until the legal system gets ahold of the laws for drones and sky space I would predict it's not forthcoming in the next 1-3 years. Additionally, drones would require additional fees which online shoppers are sensitive to at this stage in the game. These break-through technologies are not cheap.
As others have stated, the benefits of Brick and Mortar are now immediate delivery and exceptional customer service. In the future, probably most Brick and Mortar will go digital. I would guess mystery shops would follow suite with shopping customer service online. However, there still will be a need for service shops in person. I'm not worried. Especially not about drones, since they are not in what I consider the "near" future.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2017 02:58AM by nixkit.
Amazon has been talking about drone delivery for many years but we still have yet to see even the betta version. Until the legal system gets ahold of the laws for drones and sky space I would predict it's not forthcoming in the next 1-3 years. Additionally, drones would require additional fees which online shoppers are sensitive to at this stage in the game. These break-through technologies are not cheap.
As others have stated, the benefits of Brick and Mortar are now immediate delivery and exceptional customer service. In the future, probably most Brick and Mortar will go digital. I would guess mystery shops would follow suite with shopping customer service online. However, there still will be a need for service shops in person. I'm not worried. Especially not about drones, since they are not in what I consider the "near" future.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2017 02:58AM by nixkit.
There are a few things I don't mind buying online. Shoes and clothes are needed to be tried on. I don't like ordering clothes or shoes online too often because if the stuff don't fit, it needs to be returned and then try again. That's a waste of time. Also, you have to worry that some idiot doesn't steal your package when it arrives when it's left on your doorstep.
Like their size 9 really being a size 4. lol
I (and an unprepared team lead with no pen, no screw gun, no tape, knife to open the boxes, who's phone was dead and couldn't take the necessary pictures nor lift most of the items!) set up the Chanel event in Dillard's a few weeks ago. They ship the Banners, Director's chairs, carpeting and Pedestals (Like a Craftsman tool box for the cosmetics and applicators). I heard them in their morning team huddle that their goal was $20,000 over the 2-day event. On the day of the pack-up I heard them say they made $1,200. Back in the day, maybe 6 years ago, I traveled with these events for a couple of years as kind of a Roadie on a part-time basis. These events would make mad money! I buy most of my consumer crap online.
I confess, I bought three items through Amazon.com this week alone. It was convenient, inexpensive and cost me no gas money. In the meantime, JC Penny's, which has been a staple at our mall for years, is closing next month. And there are more empty storefronts here on Long Island, NY than I have seen in a long time. It's scary. So many stores I thought were here for the long haul. . .gone.
I'm already seeing it in fast food, which is one of my main shops. Companies are offering customer surveys on their receipts and using that, rather than feet on the floor in the store. My retail is largely in electronics and there are a lot of people who come to the stores to look at the merchandise, try it out, ask questions - and then go home and order from Amazon or NewEgg or somebody. Still, the stores are utilizing shoppers to help them figure out ways to improve their customer relations so the customers will buy in the store, or buy from their own web site rather than Amazon. For myself, I prefer to look at clothing in the store, try it on, try another size if it doesn't fit, etc. I hate getting a package and having to return it because nothing looks on me like it did on the model - and then the store expects me to pay $7.50 toward the shipping cost to return it.
I think, like retail, our business will modify and adapt to the conditions. We provide a service they can't get from surveys. All too many people wad up the receipts and throw them in the trash, and the only people they hear from are the ones who are angry about some minor error made by a cashier in training (saw it today, so it's fresh on my mind).
I think, like retail, our business will modify and adapt to the conditions. We provide a service they can't get from surveys. All too many people wad up the receipts and throw them in the trash, and the only people they hear from are the ones who are angry about some minor error made by a cashier in training (saw it today, so it's fresh on my mind).
I went in to Best Buy to do a mystery shop for the computer/printer shop. I walked around for 9 minutes waiting for someone to come over to me to ask if I needed help. So I walked around the store, I walk super fast, counting employees and customers. There were four associates in the geek squad area, 5 in the customer service area, four near the registers, 3 sitting by the tvs, and four more around the store. There were six customers in the store including myself. I asked one of the associates in the customer service area for assistance at the computers and waited another 6 minutes then asked one of the ones sitting at the tvs and one stood up and said he would get me some assistance. Six minutes later I was still waiting. Luckily this was a very heavily bonus'd shop. Maybe this was a bad day but it seems to be the norm at the ones near me.
At least in my area the number of fast casual restaurants seems to be going up. Some of these are chains that have been around for along time in other parts of the country, and we are just now starting to see them pop up here in Western Massachusetts. Sonic, Popeye and Chik Fil a (not sure if I spelled that right) have suddenly started to appear here, and Starbucks finally started to make some inroads three or four years ago. They get a run for their money from Dunkin Donuts, and Dunkin Donuts keeps opening new shops in this area as well. There are ten Dunkin Donuts which do get shopped once in awhile, about three miles from where I live.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2017 10:57AM by alannajm.
"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2017 10:57AM by alannajm.
In the past, I shopped retail more frequently. Subsequently, found better ways to make a dime. So, it really doesn't concern me.
Amazon is a behemoth. Yet it is building brick and mortars. Two major grocery chains in my area, both shopped, are now offering home delivery. Orders are placed online, and delivered for a very reasonable price. Hopefully, this service will be added as a shop scenarios. Also offering home delivery, are a few casual to almost-fine-dining restaurants, not shopped, though they are nationwide. The businesses that are scrambling to provide what the consumer wants, have a fighting chance.
Amazon is a behemoth. Yet it is building brick and mortars. Two major grocery chains in my area, both shopped, are now offering home delivery. Orders are placed online, and delivered for a very reasonable price. Hopefully, this service will be added as a shop scenarios. Also offering home delivery, are a few casual to almost-fine-dining restaurants, not shopped, though they are nationwide. The businesses that are scrambling to provide what the consumer wants, have a fighting chance.
Today I went to UPS to return 2 pairs of shoes that Zappo happily paid shipping on both ways. And I ordered two more to try on next week...it is really a pain for me and time consuming and I would rather not have to repack the box and then go over to UPS but with large feet I could not find retail stores with soccer cleats in my size and I live in a super sized city. I avoided the sites, some of them having more desirable cleats, where i would have to pay shipping both ways even if I did not like the product and had to return it.
Bottom line I do not know how long these companies offering free (not to mention fast) shipping both ways will continue to do so. I suspect at some point they will abandon that model and have to either raise prices or start charging for shipping. At that point some shoppers might return to real stores. Already Amazon has opened a few brick and mortar stores of their own. So I do not see the total demise of brick and mortar esp in big cities. Shopping at a mall seems to be a favorite past time for some. But things will definitely change...how that happens?
I am not looking forward to the only uncluttered direction I can look (up) to become full of little flying things blocking a nice view of blue sky and sunshine.
Bottom line I do not know how long these companies offering free (not to mention fast) shipping both ways will continue to do so. I suspect at some point they will abandon that model and have to either raise prices or start charging for shipping. At that point some shoppers might return to real stores. Already Amazon has opened a few brick and mortar stores of their own. So I do not see the total demise of brick and mortar esp in big cities. Shopping at a mall seems to be a favorite past time for some. But things will definitely change...how that happens?
I am not looking forward to the only uncluttered direction I can look (up) to become full of little flying things blocking a nice view of blue sky and sunshine.
Recently, I saw a little Walmart brick and mortar location. Apparently, this site is where customers may pick up merchandise that they order online. My first thought was that the location may represent competition for Amazon, if only on a small scale. Ease of access may be a competitive feature for rural or traveling consumers who may be getting good prices through Wal-Mart. It might be easier for WalMart stores to operate without accommodating merchandise pick-ups at stores.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2017 03:40PM by Shop-et-al.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2017 03:40PM by Shop-et-al.
Not once did anyone mention sales tax.not having to be paid.
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