What is a store check?

A store check, as part of mystery shopping, is an optimal method to see what you do well or less well in your store. To do this, one or more of our employees will visit your store unannounced and unannounced. Our test persons behave like normal customers. They try out and test various aspects of the shopper journey.

Among other things, our test customers assess whether your products are presented and placed in the agreed manner. Store checks are also used to check prices. Another area in which store checks are used is to check whether goods are positioned in your store on time. Store checks can also be used to verify compliance with franchise standards. Our testers document their shopping experience with notes and, if desired, with pictures. This is done using a store check test catalog, which also takes into account individual requirements and personal objectives. Once the store check has been completed, a detailed evaluation is carried out.

What can a store check be used for?

You can assess the condition of your store with a store check. You can gain valuable insights into the current status of your store. In particular, you can identify weak points in the layout and design. You can use store checks to evaluate a variety of aspects of your business operations. These aspects include, among others:

• Presentation of the products
• Customer service
• Sales promotion
• Maintenance
• Cleaning

This enables you to recognize how your business is perceived by customers. This insight will then show you which areas you need to improve. These improvements help to enhance the customer experience, which ultimately helps to increase sales.

What do our store checkers look out for?

Even if your employees are knowledgeable, competent and friendly, this does not guarantee that your business will run smoothly. Because Your customers must be able to find their way around your store. You have to ensure that the goods are presented in the best possible way. And you have to be able to pick up your customers emotionally. With a well thought-out communication and design strategy for your point of sale, you can fully exploit your customer potential. With a store check carried out by us, you can gain clarity about the impact of your point of sale. We provide you with an objective and systematic status report on your store. During the visit to your store, our checkers pay attention to the following things, among others:

Observation of consumer behavior

Our testers observe your customers even before they enter your store. They pay attention to which side of the store customers enter, whether they enter the store directly or whether they look at the shop window for a while first. And, if applicable, how long they look at the shop window before entering the store. Among other things, they also note the design of the shop window and its lighting.

Inspection of the store

After our testers have observed your store and your customers from the outside, they enter your store and see where the main brands are and where the main categories are. They also look for the checkouts and the main sales areas. They also pay attention to things like the location of escalators, emergency doors and elevators. If it is a clothing store, they will also inspect the changing area.  Then make a note of the handle height of the products. Are the items at eye level or knee height? Are the products easy to see and easy to reach? What about the lighting? Are the products well and correctly illuminated?  Our testers then move on to questions about pricing. How are the prices communicated? Are the prices clearly visible and unambiguous for customers? Does the customer see that there are special offers? Our testers also check the interplay of colors and materials. Does the color scheme match the offer? What is the contrast like? Are the colors inviting, attractive or rather cool?

How often should you have a store check carried out?

It is advisable to have regular store checks carried out. If you want to ensure that your store is in the best possible condition, you should have your store checked two to four times a year. If you have any questions about store checks, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks to our many years of experience, we are also able to carry out store check projects at short notice.