A Retailers Perspective

I sat down to a cup of tea with my mom, Julie to hear her opinion on students. My parents own a customised packaging and craft store called Merrypak in Ndebeni. Merrypak attracts a large variety of customers which include students of all ages.

My mother has always told her staff that it is important to not only treat students just like every other customer but to go a little more out of their way to help students the best they can. This is because she believes that students are the customers of tomorrow, meaning they are the next generation which will support Merrypak. This idea seems to be polar opposite to what I have heard from other students and what I have experienced myself. Other retailers seem to overlook students and believe they are a waste of time why my mother believes it is important to nurture the relationship between students and businesses in order to gain customer loyalty.

I grew up with my mothers concept and found it difficult as a student when waiters or shop assistants treated me like I wasn't worth their time. It is safe to say that I don't go to those places that made me feel uncomfortable and or unwanted. Retailers need to see that students are the future of retail.