their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these cust

Back in the Dark Ages when I first started as a retailer, shopping was easy. Granted, there was plenty of tough competition, but the competition was product orientated. In those days there were big shops and small shops. Big shops were called Department Stores. Small ones, Specialty Stores. A few variations here and there, but essentially that constituted the shopping experience for customers.

How things have changed. Today, at the volume end of the market every conceivable theme and variation imaginable. Department Stores, Supermarkets, Hyper Markets, Week-End Markets, Variety Stores, Mega Stores, Discount Stores, No Frills Stores. An almost endless list and now, as if to add insult to injury, E-commerce.

You need to be a well-armed gladiator to survive in this retail jungle.

They're all competing in the same market for the same customer where either massive range of product or price becomes the dominating factor to draw customers. Mass marketing with a capital MM.

Well, there are a few top quality retail empires still around. Sophisticated, high class Department Stores who cater for the privileged upper classes are still found here and there all around the world. Mostly grand old stores founded by the grand old men and women from another part of history. Hardly a growth industry. Some could be classified as museum pieces, others have been more progressive and moved with the times.

However, the small retail specialists remain much the same today as was the case 50 or 60 years ago. Furthermore, the small operators have survived fierce competition from the major outlets by sticking to their knitting and not allowing external influences to sidetrack their thinking.

These are the retailers who have not bungled their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these custo

olume end of the market every conceivable theme and variation imaginable. Department Stores, Supermarkets, Hyper Markets, Week-End Markets, Variety Stores, Mega Stores, Discount Stores, No Frills Stores. An almost endless list and now, as if to add insult to injury, E-commerce.

You need to be a well-armed gladiator to survive in this retail jungle.

They're all competing in the same market for the same customer where either massive range of product or price becomes the dominating factor to draw customers. Mass marketing with a capital MM.

Well, there are a few top quality retail empires still around. Sophisticated, high class Department Stores who cater for the privileged upper classes are still found here and there all around the world. Mostly grand old stores founded by the grand old men and women from another part of history. Hardly a growth industry. Some could be classified as museum pieces, others have been more progressive and moved with the times.

However, the small retail specialists remain much the same today as was the case 50 or 60 years ago. Furthermore, the small operators have survived fierce competition from the major outlets by sticking to their knitting and not allowing external influences to sidetrack their thinking.

These are the retailers who have not bungled their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these cust

ive range of product or price becomes the dominating factor to draw customers. Mass marketing with a capital MM.

Well, there are a few top quality retail empires still around. Sophisticated, high class Department Stores who cater for the privileged upper classes are still found here and there all around the world. Mostly grand old stores founded by the grand old men and women from another part of history. Hardly a growth industry. Some could be classified as museum pieces, others have been more progressive and moved with the times.

However, the small retail specialists remain much the same today as was the case 50 or 60 years ago. Furthermore, the small operators have survived fierce competition from the major outlets by sticking to their knitting and not allowing external influences to sidetrack their thinking.

These are the retailers who have not bungled their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these cust

me could be classified as museum pieces, others have been more progressive and moved with the times.

However, the small retail specialists remain much the same today as was the case 50 or 60 years ago. Furthermore, the small operators have survived fierce competition from the major outlets by sticking to their knitting and not allowing external influences to sidetrack their thinking.

These are the retailers who have not bungled their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these cust

their way through the jungle. In other words, by focussing clearly on their customers and caring for them in a professional manner, they have actually benefited from the open warfare in the retail jungle.

In a world of shrinking customer service, it is clear that more and more customers are demanding more personal attention. Today, retail stores who offer a high level of care and attention to their customers not only make these customers satisfied shoppers, but it is as good as a guarantee that these are customers will return for further purchases.

Remember, the personal shopping experience is alive and well. Mass marketing has its place in the world of retailing, but not at the expense of personal service. That's where the small retail trader can out-smart his bigger and noisier competitor.