If you are planning to open up a retail store or expand your brand’s physical presence, you will usually encounter diverse types of customers visiting your retail outlet.
We’ve compiled a list of the most common types of retail customers that you may frequently encounter in your retail store. Understanding their shopping behaviours will help you design your retail space a lot better.
Types of Customers in Retail
So, let’s get started and understand one by one the common types of customers you may encounter in your retail store:
1. The Well-Informed Shopper
This category of shoppers is well-researched beforehand. They already know about the product they want to buy.
They have already read product descriptions, compared prices, and checked reviews. So you can bet that when they walk into your store, they already know a whole lot about what you have to offer.
2. The Showroomer
Showroomers are those who try on or check out products in person but decide to purchase them online if they find a better price.
And how do you spot them? You can usually find these types of customers using price comparison apps or scanning your products while browsing in-store.
3. The Wanderer
These are shoppers who just wander into your store without any real intention to buy. They typically walk in because something caught their eye, or they’re just simply killing time.
“Retail is a customer business. You’re trying to take care of the customer—solve something for the customer. And there’s no way to learn that in the classroom or in the corner office, or away from the customer. You’ve got to be in front of the customer.”
— Erik Nordstrom, President, Nordstrom Direct
4. The Customer on a Mission
These customers already know what they want and intend to get in and out of your store. They want to get their hands on their purchases as soon as possible so they can leave and get back to doing other things.
5. The Indecisive Shopper
These are customers who aren’t sure if they want to purchase or they’re unable to decide what exactly to buy. Often, customers who are having trouble deciding either don’t have enough information or have too much that they’re overwhelmed.
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6. The Bargain-Hunter
The main thing that influences the purchase decision of bargain shoppers is pricing. They’re after the lowest price, and they’re willing to shop around until they find it. Brand loyalty doesn’t really come into play here.
7. The Chatty Customer
These customers love to talk and tell stories, and while you like their enthusiasm, they can sometimes keep you from doing your job or taking care of other shoppers.
8. The Difficult Customer
This typically includes shoppers who are rude, angry, or combative. Maybe they have a complaint about your products. Or, perhaps there is someone who isn’t happy with the service they received. Or, they’re simply having a bad day and are taking it out on you.
9. The Regular Customer
Regular customers are the best types of shoppers to have in your store. They already love you (otherwise, they won’t be coming back), so you don’t have to go for the hard sell.
Final Thoughts: Types of Customers in Retail
Summing up, here’s a quick glance at the 9 common types of customers you will encounter in your retail store:
- The Well-Informed Shopper
- The Showroomer
- The Wanderer
- The Customer on a Mission
- The Indecisive Shopper
- The Bargain-Hunter
- The Chatty Customer
- The Difficult Customer
- The Regular Customer
And If you are looking for retail expansion anywhere across the country, our team of experts at 91Squarefeet provides you with the most valuable insights on everything related to the organized retail industry.
Schedule a free call to discuss your retail store requirements or mail us at hello@91sqft.com.
