Quick & Easy Fast Food Shops – A $17 Value!

Market Force Information, recently named to the Forbes’ list of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies, invites you to enjoy a delicious hamburger meal on us. This restaurant is “a phenomenon that wins ‘Best Burger’ in nearly every market it enters”.  Shopper will order a burger ONLY to evaluate if they offer a soda and fries. Shopper will observe general appearance of the interior and exterior of the location. Shopper will receive a $7 fee and up to a $10 reimbursement. 

We are currently looking for shoppers for this project in these locations:

Cullman	AL	35055
Decatur	AL	35601
Fultondale	AL	35068
North Little Rock	AR	72116
Tucson	AZ	85705
Hayward	CA	94541
San Diego	CA	92135
San Diego	CA	92136
Stockton	CA	95207
Sunnyvale	CA	94085
Highlands Ranch	CO	80126
Fairfield	CT	6824
Orange	CT	6477
Washington	DC	20007
Washington	DC	20004
Washington	DC	20006
Washington	DC	20010
Aventura	FL	33180
Brooksville	FL	34613
Clearwater	FL	33762
Jacksonville	FL	32224
Merritt Island	FL	32952
Okeechobee	FL	34972
Orlando	FL	32819
Orlando	FL	32801
Plantation	FL	33324
Athens	GA	30601
Dawsonville	GA	30534
Suwanee	GA	30024
Chicago	IL	60615
Glenview	IL	60025
Wilmette	IL	60091
Indianapolis	IN	46234
Louisville	KY	40241
Annapolis	MD	21401
Baltimore	MD	21202
Edgewater	MD	21037
Gaithersburg	MD	20878
Hyattsville	MD	20782
Mt. Airy	MD	21771
Prince Frederick	MD	20678
Minneapolis	MN	55414
Liberty	MO	64068
St. Louis	MO	63117
Charlotte	NC	28204
Fayetteville	NC	28303
Grand Forks	ND	58201
Brick	NJ	8723
Cherry Hill	NJ	8002
Denville	NJ	7834
Fort Lee	NJ	7024
Marlton	NJ	8053
Rio Grande	NJ	8242
Voorhees	NJ	8081
Watchung	NJ	7069
Westfield	NJ	7090
Ithaca	NY	14850
Long Beach	NY	11561
New York	NY	10036
Queensbury	NY	12804
Rome	NY	13440
Saratoga Springs	NY	12866
Webster	NY	14580
Columbus	OH	43212
Kent	OH	44240
Norwood	OH	45209
Doylestown	PA	18902
Hamburg	PA	19526
King of Prussia	PA	19406
Lancaster	PA	17602
Meadville	PA	16335
State College	PA	16801
York	PA	17402
York	PA	17407
Charleston	SC	29401
Easley	SC	29640
Greenville	SC	29607
Mount Pleasant	SC	29464
Chattanooga	TN	37402
Kingsport	TN	37660
Lufkin	TX	75901
McAllen	TX	78503
Plano	TX	75024
Southlake	TX	76092
Temple	TX	76502
St. George	UT	84790
Alexandria	VA	22302
Bealeton	VA	22712
Charlottesville	VA	22905
Charlottesville	VA	22911
Colonial Heights	VA	23834
Dumfries	VA	22026
Emporia	VA	23847
Fairfax	VA	22033
Falls Church	VA	22042
Lorton	VA	22079
Mechanicsville	VA	23111
Norfolk	VA	23511
Richmond	VA	23220
Stafford	VA	22556
Stafford	VA	22554
Staunton	VA	24401
Winchester	VA	22601
Bellingham	WA	98226
Issaquah	WA	98027
Puyallup	WA	98371
Vancouver	WA	98665
Delafield	WI	53018
Huntington	WV	25701

You must be at least 20 years old and have a minimum of a high school education. You need excellent observational skills and must be very detail oriented. Professional attitude and high quality standards are a must. 

If you are currently a Market Force shopper and you qualify for this shop, you can find and select this shop on our self-assign Shopper Website www.marketforceshopper.com   As always, you can choose any of our other shops that are of interest to you and are convenient to your schedule. 

If you are not already part of the Shopper Force go to www.applymarketforce.com to register for this and other mystery shopping assignments and audits.

About Market Force Information

Market Force is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. With more than 125 years of combined industry experience, Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions – from 600,000 field associates across North America and Europe who conduct mystery shopping, merchandising and retail auditing, to real customer surveys and proprietary decision-support tools. Its solutions provide a holistic view of the customer’s on-site experience and identify the actions required at the store level to increase customer loyalty and improve financial performance. For more information, visit www.marketforce.com.

 

New Year, New Resolutions . . . New Job?

Start the New Year with a company that was recently named to the Forbes’ list of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies in 2011.

Market Force Information is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. We are looking for serious independent contractors who are dedicated to quality and professionalism to become part of our Shopper Force to help us meet the needs of all of our nationally recognized clients. 

Market Force is a self-assign company and offers a helpful Shopper Website that lists all shops/audits that are available in your area. Our schedulers only work on a few selected assignments so don’t wait for them to call, you should go to our Shopper Portal and choose shops that are of interest to you, at a time that is convenient for you. We have numerous on-going, self-assign projects in mystery shopping, merchandising and theatre checks that cover a variety of industries. Fees/Reimbursements vary by project and are posted in advance.

You must be at least 20 years old and have a minimum of a high school education. You need excellent observation skills and must be very detail oriented. Professional attitude and high quality standards are a must. Access to a computer is required to select and report assignments directly through the Internet. 

To register with Market Force, go to www.applymarketforce.com. You can also request a free application/information packet for mystery shopping by sending your request via email to ShopRecruit@marketforce.com.

 

Market Force and ConocoPhillips Receive Ventana Research Leadership Awards

Ventana Research Leadership Award comes on the heels of Forbes’ America’s Most Promising Companies recognition

BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 22, 2011 – Market Force, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions, and its client ConocoPhillips have received the Ventana Research Leadership Award for Customer Excellence. The Ventana Research 2011 Leadership Awards recognizes innovative companies and their customers that have most effectively achieved success through the use of people, processes, information, technology and best practices. This is the second recent honor bestowed upon Market Force, which was also recently named to Forbes’ list of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies.

Ventana Research selected ConocoPhillips for its implementation of Market Force’s customer intelligence solutions. It also instituted mechanisms to gather customer feedback and ensure every station carrying its brand adheres to the high standards that consumers want and deserve. Its customer intelligence program led to increased customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

“The Leadership Awards honor organizations across the world that have distinguished themselves in their approach to using business and information technology,” said Mark Smith, CEO and chief research officer of Ventana Research. “Market Force and ConocoPhillips distinguished themselves as pioneers in Customer Excellence for their successful transformation of the customer experience using technologies and processes that derived true business value.”

Through work with more than 350 of the world’s major brands, Market Force has culled a set of best practices that underpin retail performance and crafted a suite of customer intelligence solutions to enable companies to excel. Services include mystery shopping, customer satisfaction surveys, call center services and audits, as well as sophisticated analytics to tie those data to bottom line results, and a robust technology platform to host it all.

“It’s gratifying to see our hard work recognized by prestigious organizations like Ventana Research and Forbes,” said Janet Eden-Harris, chief marketing officer for Market Force. “These awards are a testament to the incredible work our team is doing, and they also validate the business results of our customer-driven clients like ConocoPhillips.”

For more information on Market Force’s customer intelligence solutions, visit http://www.marketforce.com/customer-intelligence

About Market Force Information

Market Force is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. With more than 125 years of combined industry experience, Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions – from 600,000 field associates across North America and Europe who conduct mystery shopping, merchandising and retail auditing, to real customer surveys and proprietary decision-support tools. Its solutions provide a holistic view of the customer’s on-site experience and identify the actions required at the store level to increase customer loyalty and improve financial performance. Market Force was named one of Forbes’ America’s Most Promising Companies in 2011. For more information, visit www.marketforce.com.

 

 

New Shops Starting in the New Year!!!!

Market Force Information is currently recruiting new shoppers for a regional restaurant chain. We also have current mystery shops and/or merchandise audits in a variety of businesses in these locations as well.

ACKLEY	IA
AKRON	IA
ALGONA	IA
ALTOONA	IA
AMES	IA
ATLANTIC	IA
BELMOND	IA
BOONE	IA
CARROLL	IA
CEDAR FALLS	IA
CENTERVILLE	IA
CHARLES CITY	IA
CLARION	IA
CLINTON	IA
COUNCIL BLUFFS	IA
CRESTON	IA
DECORAH	IA
DUBUQUE	IA
ELDORA	IA
EMMETSBURG	IA
FAIRFIELD	IA
GARNER	IA
GEORGE	IA
HARLAN	IA
HAWARDEN	IA
HULL	IA
INDEPENDENCE	IA
INDIANOLA	IA
IOWA CITY	IA
IOWA FALLS	IA
JEFFERSON	IA
LAKE MILLS	IA
LAURENS	IA
LE MARS	IA
MANCHESTER	IA
MANSON	IA
MARCUS	IA
MARION	IA
MARSHALLTOWN	IA
MASON CITY	IA
MISSOURI VALLEY	IA
MONTICELLO	IA
MT. PLEASANT	IA
MUSCATINE	IA
NEWTON	IA
NO. LIBERTY	IA
OELWEIN	IA
ORANGE CITY	IA
OSKALOOSA	IA
PELLA	IA
POCAHONTAS	IA
PRIMGHAR	IA
RED OAK	IA
ROCK RAPIDS	IA
ROCK VALLEY	IA
ROCKWELL CITY	IA
SANBORN	IA
SERGEANT BLUFF	IA
SHELDON	IA
SIBLEY	IA
SIGOURNEY	IA
SIOUX CENTER	IA
SPENCER	IA
SPIRIT LAKE	IA
STORY CITY	IA
VINTON	IA
WASHINGTON	IA
WAUKEE	IA
WAVERLY	IA
MORTON	IL
ROSCOE	IL
EMPORIA	KS
HUDSONVILLE	MI
MUSKEGON	MI
ALBERT LEA	MN
ALEXANDRIA	MN
BAXTER	MN
DELANO	MN
DILWORTH	MN
EDGERTON	MN
FAIRMONT	MN
FERGUS FALLS	MN
GLENCOE	MN
GLENWOOD	MN
HIBBING	MN
JACKSON	MN
LAKEVILLE	MN
LE SUEUR	MN
LITCHFIELD	MN
LITTLE FALLS	MN
LUVERNE	MN
MANKATO	MN
MONTEVIDEO	MN
MONTICELLO	MN
MORRIS	MN
NEW ULM	MN
NORWOOD YOUNG AMERICA	MN
OLIVIA	MN
ORTONVILLE	MN
OWATONNA	MN
PARK RAPIDS	MN
PERHAM	MN
PIPESTONE	MN
REDWOOD FALLS	MN
ROSEAU	MN
SLAYTON	MN
STEWARTVILLE	MN
WACONIA	MN
WADENA	MN
WAITE PARK	MN
WASECA	MN
WILLMAR	MN
WORTHINGTON	MN
CARRINGTON	ND
CASSELTON	ND
COOPERSTOWN	ND
DEVILS LAKE	ND
DICKINSON	ND
FARGO	ND
HARVEY	ND
HILLSBORO	ND
JAMESTOWN	ND
LISBON	ND
MANDAN	ND
MINOT	ND
WAHPETON	ND
COLUMBUS	NE
WEST POINT	NE
ABERDEEN	SD
BRANDON	SD
BROOKINGS	SD
CANTON	SD
DELL RAPIDS	SD
FORT PIERRE	SD
HARTFORD	SD
LENNOX	SD
MADISON	SD
MILBANK	SD
MITCHELL	SD
MOBRIDGE	SD
PLATTE	SD
RAPID CITY	SD
SIOUX FALLS E. 10TH	SD
SIOUX FALLS W. 41ST	SD
SPEARFISH	SD
STURGIS	SD
TEA	SD
WATERTOWN	SD
YANKTON	SD
EAU CLAIRE	WI
FOND DU LAC	WI
LAKE DELTON	WI
OOSTBURG	WI
REEDSBURG	WI
SHEBOYGAN	WI
W. BARABOO	WI
WAUPUN	WI

We are looking for serious-minded people who are dedicated to quality and professionalism. If you are not signed up with us, the application process is free, and quick.  Just go to www.applymarketforce.com or you may request a free application/information packet via email at ShopRecruit@marketforce.com.  

Market Force is a self-assign company and offers a helpful Shopper Website that lists all shops/audits that are available in your area.  Our schedulers only work on a few selected assignments so don’t wait for them to call, once you are approved to view and select assignments you should go to our Shopper Website and choose shops that are of interest to you, at a time that is convenient for you.  If you have any questions, you may write to HelpDesk@marketforce.com.

 

Mystery Shopping Locations in Nevada

Special Instructions for Nevada Residents Only

 

 

We are currently seeking serious-minded new shoppers in Nevada (please read the unique requirements below) who are dedicated to quality and professionalism.

Due to the unique requirements and laws of Nevada, Market Force has contracted with QSI Specialists to provide us with shoppers who meet these requirements. Anyone mystery shopping within Nevada must be an employee of a Private Investigative company. QSI’s parent company, Global Intelligence Network, LLC, is such a firm.

Shoppers who reside in Washoe, Carson City and/or Clark counties* are required to obtain a work permit at their own expense. QSI Specialists will cover the costs of registering you with the Private Investigators Licensing Board and keep you current as long as you are their employee.

If you are interested in becoming a mystery shopper in Nevada, please email your name, address and phone number along with a brief explanation of why you want to be a shopper to info@qsispecialists.com Be sure to let them know that you have been referred by Market Force.**

*There may be costs to you as individual as some areas require shoppers to get work cards, which can cost up to $85 depending on the area. Other areas may not require them. For specific costs, contact Jennifer Hippler at hippler@qsispecialists.com

**All fees for completed approved shops are paid directly by QSI Specialists, Inc.; Market Force will cover required shop purchase reimbursements.

Locations where shoppers are currently needed (please check back often as these may change)

Battle Mountain
Carson City
Elko
Las Vegas
Laughlin
Lovelock
Minden
North Las Vegas
Primm
Reno
Tonopah
West Wendover

 

About Market Force
Market Force Information Inc. is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies.

With more than 125 years of combined industry experience, Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions – from 600,000 field associates across North America and Europe who conduct mystery shopping, merchandising and retail auditing, to real customer surveys and proprietary decision-support tools. Its solutions provide a holistic view of the customer’s on-site experience and identify the actions required at the store level to increase customer loyalty and improve financial performance. For more information, visit www.marketforce.com.

 

Canada Locations for Mystery Shopping with Market Force

Urgent Needs at Market Force

Below is a list of cities where Market Force needs mystery shoppers to fulfill the needs of its nationally-recognized clients. Check back often as these locations will be updated weekly.

ALBERTA

Banff
Beaverlodge
Blairmore
Boyle
Calgary
Canmore
Drumheller
Eckville
Fort MacLeod
Fox Creek
Grand Cache
Grimshaw
Hardisty
High Level
Lac La Biche
Milk River
Provost
Rocky Mountain House
Smoke Lake
Stettler
Vegreville
Vulcan
Wainwright
Westlock

BRITISH COLUMBIA

100 Mile House
Fort St James
Grand Forks
Invermere
Kitimat
Nakusp
Port McNeill
Princeton
Tofino
Valemount
Vanderhoof

MANITOBA

Altona
Dauphin
Dominion City
Elkhorn
Flin Flon
Holland
Killarney
Neepawa
The Pas
Thompson
Treherne
Virden
Winkler

NEW BRUNSWICK

Campbellton
Edmunston
Fredericton
Grand Falls
Grand Sault
Moncton
Oromocto
Saint John
Saint-Leonard
Woodstock

NEW FOUNDLAND

Clarenville
Gander
Harbour Breton
Marystown
Stephenville

NOVA SCOTIA

Antigonish
Elmsdale
Liverpool
New Glasgow
Port Hawkesbury
Sydney River
Truro
Upper Tantallon
Yarmouth

NORTHWEST TERRITORY

Fort Simpson
Inuvik
Norman Wells
Rankin Inlet
Yellowknife

NUNAVUT

Iqaluit

ONTARIO

Atikokan
Emo
Englehart
Ignace
Matheson
Moosonee
Red Lake
Ridgetown
Sioux Lookout
Thessalon

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Alberton
Charlottetown
Montague
Souris
Stratford
Summerside
West Royalty

QUEBEC

Acton Vale
Alma
Amos
Ancienne-Lorette
Ange-Gardin
Athabaska
Aylmer
Baie St-Paul
Baie-Comeau
Beauport
Bellefeuille
Beloeil
Berthierville
Blainville
Bois-de-Fillion
Boisbriand
Boucherville
Bromont
Brossard
Candiac
Chambly
Charny
Chibougomau
Chicoutimi
Coaticook
Cowansville
Dolbeau
Donnacona
Drummondville
Forestville
Gatineau
Granby
Grand-Mere
Hull
Joliette
Jonquiere
L’Assomption
La Baie
La Malbaie
La Plaine
La Prairie
Lac Megantic
Lachenaie
Lachine
Lachute
Lafontaine
Lasalle
Lasarre
Laval
Lavaltrie
Le Gardeur
Lennoxville
Levis
Longueuil
Magog
Maniwaki
Matane
Mirabel
Mont Laurier
Mont St-Hilaire
Mont Tremblant
Mont-Joli
Montmagny
Montreal
Neufchatel
Nicolet
Plessiville
Pte Gatineau
Quebe
Rawdon
Repentigny
Rimouski
Riviere Du Loup
Roverval
Rosemere
Rouyn-Noranda
Saint-Charles De Drummondville
Saint-Constant
Saint-George-De-Beauce
Saint-George
Saint-Jean-De-Matha
Saint-Jovite
Saint-Romuald
Sainte-Agathe-Des-Monts
Sept-Iles
Shawinigan
Sherbrooke
Sorel
St Laurent
St Raymond De Port Neuf
St-Antoine
St-Apollinaire
St-Augustin
St-Basile-Le Grand
St-Bruno
St-Cesaire
St-Felicien
St-Georges-De-Beauce
St-Hyacinthe
St-Jean
St-Jerome
St-Laurent
St-Leonard
St-Luc
St-Sauveur
St-Bruno
Ste Dorothee
Ste-Agathe
Ste-Anne-De-Beaupre
Ste-Anne-De-La-Pocatiere
Ste-Foy
Ste-Helene-De-Bagot
Ste-Julie
Ste-Marie-De-Beauce
Stoneham
Terrebonne
Tetreauv\ltville
Thetford Mines
Trois-Rivieres
Val Belair
Val D’Or
Varennes
Victoriaville

SASKATCHEWAN

Assiniboia
Big River
Biggar
Birch Hills
Blaine Lake
Canora
Carlyle
Central Butte
Coronach
Cudworth
Dinsmore
Estevan
Eston
Fort Qu’ Appelle
Kindersley
Laronge
Leader
Loon Lake
Lucky Lake
Maidstone
Mankota
Maple Creek
Melfort
Milestone
Naicam
Norquay
Radville
Redvers
Rosthern
Shaunavon
St Walberg
Stoughton
Turtleford
Unity
Watson
Wilkie

YUKON TERRITORY

Dawson
Watson Lake
Whitehorse

Application Instructions

You can become a mystery shopper with Market Force Information by visiting The Shopper Force on the Market Force Information website and following the instructions provided for the Blue Portal.

If you are uncomfortable with providing your personal information online, Market Force has an auto-responder that will provide you with a free information/application packet at ShopRecruit@marketforce.com.

 

As The Mystery Shopping Scam Turns!

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I read in the last couple of weeks about scammers being arrested or scammed.

In Metairie, LA a man involved in some of the mystery scams that have plagued the internet was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison for his part in the scheme to bilk money from unsuspecting job-hunters. You can read the entire story by Drew Broach of the of the Times-Picayune newspaper by visiting here: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/11/counterfeit_scheme_sends_metai.html

Another newspaper in Chicago scammed the scammer. Stephanie Zimmerman, aka The Fixer, at the Chicago Sun-Times effectively turned the tables on the scammer. You can read the hilarious episodes of emails that went back and forth here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/zimmermann/8930993-452/scamming-the-scammer-is-always-fun.html

Needless to say, the story by the Chicago reporter is priceless and the scammer seemed to be quite clueless in his numerous contacts with her.

Now is the time to remind everyone that is looking for ways to make quick money for their holiday spending – if it sounds to good to be true or too easy, it probably is.

Market Force Information, Inc. (“MFI”) routinely and legitimately utilizes mystery shoppers in its standard course of business.  However, we are continually (daily) notified of situations whereby MFI’s trade name(s) and/or trademark(s) is/are used without MFI’s authorization to entice unsuspecting individuals into a deceptive mystery shopping scheme.  MFI takes seriously the fraudulent use of our name in this fashion and reports each such occurrence to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and continues to work with the local authorities (case #10-1680). 

If you are given a check to deposit in advance of doing a shop it may not clear and you will be held responsible for the total amount by the financial institution.  Recent scams have included the following and may act as a red flag: 

• Involves Check Cashing or Money Transfers
• Representative does not give a legitimate Market Force email address, name@marketforce.com
• Includes a “Customer Service Evaluation Form” or a “Customer Service Evaluation Tool” (CSET)
• Offers extremely high payment for relatively easy assignment
• Does not require enrollment as a mystery shopper with Market Force

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) has developed the following tips for those interested in becoming a mystery shopper:

• Prospective shoppers should never have to pay a fee to become a mystery shopper. Shoppers should be extremely wary of any mystery shopping offer that requests a fee.
• Visit the MSPA website (www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers) for a list of reputable mystery shopping companies and opportunities.

If you are contacted by a fraudulent mystery shop company, we suggest you contact one or all of the following:  (i) your local police department and ask for the cyber crimes department or an investigator; (ii) the FBI  and go to http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx; (iii) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To file a complaint, visit http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/contact.shtm, call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, CRC-240, Washington, D.C. 20580; and/or (iv) the e-mail provider such as AOL, Google, Yahoo, MSN and go to the “contact us” page to file a complaint. Remember to provide accurate information about the person or persons perpetuating the fraud so that the authorities can assist you in stopping this activity (v) So that we can continue to report each occurrence as well, please notify helpdesk@marketforce.com with as much information as you have.  Attaching scanned images of any checks or letters you receive is very helpful.

Remember, never pay to become a mystery shopper!  This includes never accepting a cashier’s check in exchange for you wiring or sending money to a person or company.  Again, it never costs money to get assignments or become a shopper.

Last but not least, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family.

About Market Force Information
Market Force Information, Inc. is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for business-to-consumer companies including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions that provide clients with the business intelligence they need to delight their customers and drive bottom-line results. The company measures store-level operations and customer attitudes through mystery shopping, customer feedback, market audits and merchandising services, with the analytics to drive targeted improvements. For more information, please visit: www.marketforce.com and follow us on Twitter @MarketForce.

 

Market Force Survey Reveals Consumers Trying More Retailers in 2011

Study Sheds Light on Factors Driving New Trials, Fashion Spending Trends

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 14, 2011 – In spite of the shaky economic news overseas, fashion retailers in the U.S. have at least one reason for optimism. Consumers are trying new brands at a higher rate this year, and buying more when they do. More than twice as many consumers visited a new fashion retailer for the first time than during the same timeframe in 2010, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by Market Force, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. Thirty-two percent of consumers surveyed in October reported trying a new fashion retailer over the past 90 days, up from 14% in 2010.

Kohl’s received the most new trials by consumers this fall, followed by Abercrombie & Fitch and H&M. But new trial is heavily influenced by the proximity of stores to consumers; so larger brands will tend to dominate. Market Force wanted to find out which retailers received the most new trials per store so it indexed the results by store count. When indexed, H&M convinced the largest number of consumers to visit one of their stores for the first time, followed by Nordstrom, Anthropologie, White House/Black Market and Coldwater Creek. Of those surveyed who tried a fashion retailer for the first time, 75% said they made a purchase during that visit, up from 59% in 2010, which could signal a return in consumer confidence. See Graph 1.

Graph 1: Fashion Retailer New Trial Visits 

The survey of nearly 7,000 consumers across North America revealed that consumers were most likely to try a new retailer when shopping for casual clothing (71.3%) and business attire (22.8%).

“The fact that consumers are trying new retailers is good news for brands in this economy,” said Janet Eden-Harris, chief marketing officer for Market Force. “It shows that retailers are getting more effective at drawing new consumers into their doors.And our data shows that one of the best ways to do that is to consistenly delight those customers with great service and good merchandise selection.”

Store Recommendations – That’s What Friends Are For
A friend’s stamp of approval wields significant influence in the decision to walk into a new retailer. The survey found that recommendations from friends are the top impetus for consumers to try a new store, followed by “just an impulse to go shopping.” Really great sales, promotions and discounts, and the inability to resist an item they love were other factors that weighed heavily in consumers’ new store trials.  See Graph 2. The reasons given for not making purchases at a new retailer were high prices or the inability to find sale items.

Graph 2: Factors Driving New Trials

The Social Media Factor
The study also showed that consumers use online research extensively before shopping, but manage online relationships with retailers carefully. For example, the majority (73%) said they research prices online before they head to the store, and one-third turns to social media for information about fashion retailers or clothing brands. However, few follow retailers on Twitter (7%, up from 2% in 2010) or friend them on Facebook (38%). And social media advertising plays a very small role in influencing consumers to try new retailers. So, while consumers acknowledge that social media is highly influential in their shopping choices, it appears that conversations with friends are much more impactful than the social content pushed by the retailer.

Social media does appear to be playing a larger role in their online research. In Market Force’s 2010 retail survey, one in 10 respondents said they had read an online post or blog about a specific retailer or brand of clothing. That number jumped to 37% in 2011. Additionally, 7% of consumers in this year’s survey had blogged or created an online post about a specific retailer or brand of clothing.

Spend Trends
Not surprisingly, consumers continue to be conscious of spending this year. Most consumers (74%) reported spending an average of less than $100 per month on clothing, while one-quarter said they spend up to $250 every month, similar percentages were found in the study a year ago. See Graph 3.

Graph 3:  2011 Consumer Fashion Spending  

Market Force conducted the fashion retail survey in October 2011. The pool of almost 7,000 survey respondents ranged in age from 18 to more than 65 and reflected a broad spectrum of income levels, with three-quarters reporting incomes of more than $50,000 a year. Eighty-one percent were women, the primary household consumer purchasers. Half of the participants said they have children at home. 

For more information on Market Force’s customer intelligence solutions for the retail industry, visit http://www.marketforce.com/industries/retail.

About Market Force
Market Force Information Inc. is the leading global customer intelligence solutions company for multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. With more than

125 years of combined industry experience, Market Force Information has pioneered the industry with a suite of customer intelligence solutions – from 600,000 field associates across North America and Europe who conduct mystery shopping, merchandising and retail auditing, to real customer surveys and proprietary decision-support tools. Its solutions provide a holistic view of the customer’s on-site experience and identify the actions required at the store level to increase customer loyalty and improve financial performance. For more information, visit www.marketforce.com.

 

Supplement Your Income and Improve Your Community!

Mystery shopping is a type of market research and is an anonymous way for companies to gather vital information about their business which is used for training, to improve customer service and to increase the service level of the overall business. Just imagine making money while improving your community!Market Force Information, the leading customer experience information and insights partner for many of the world’s most respected organizations, is conducting an Alaska-wide search for new Independent Contractors to conduct customer service evaluations. Our mystery shoppers are independent contractors who enter our client’s locations anonymously, evaluate a variety of criteria, and then complete a questionnaire that is forwarded to our clients, who consist of nationally recognized names in the restaurant, petroleum, supermarket, telecommunication, financial and retail industries. You can become a mystery shopper with Market Force Information by visiting The Shopper Force on the Market Force Information website and following the instructions provided for the Blue Portal.

Below you will find the locations in Alaska where mystery shoppers are needed, a little information about Market Force and go on a virtual mystery shop.

Cities Where Mystery Shoppers Are Needed

 

Anchorage
Eagle River
Fairbanks
Homer
Juneau
Kenai
Ketchikan
Kodiak
Kotszebue
North Pole
Palmer
Petersburg
Seward
Sitka
Soldotna
Wasilla

 

About Market Force Information

Market Force Information was created because we identified an opportunity to redefine the way customer experience information was utilized. Through the acquisition of leading companies and the addition of new, innovative products and robust decision support tools; we are the only company in the industry to offer a truly full-service, integrated suite of mystery shopping, direct customer feedback, on-site merchandising and analytics services.With years of experience servicing the leaders in almost every customer-facing industry, we provide the best on-site information, insights and actionable solutions to help you deliver on your brand promise and maximize sales.

There is no fee to register with Market Force; we pay you to perform our evaluations, most of which can be handled in less than one hour. Market Force is a member of the Better Business Bureau. You will find a link for the BBB on our corporate website at www.marketforce.com

 

A Typical Mystery Shop

Try a typical evaluation on your next grocery shopping excursion.Start by taking note of the time you arrive. Then take a look around at the parking lot and the store interior to see if it is clean and neat. Take out your grocery list and jot down a short description of the store employees you see while shopping. Evaluate the customer service you receive while at the deli counter or the bakery counter or the pharmacy. Were they quick to wait on you? Were there several people waiting for assistance ahead of you? How long did it take for you to complete your request?

Finally, evaluate the customer service you receive as you check out. Did the cashier greet you? Did you receive assistance from a bagger? How long from the time you entered the line until you received your receipt? Did anyone notice that you had a large item on the bottom of your shopping cart? As you leave the store, take a glance at your watch to note the time.

That’s all there is to it! Now you are ready to fill out a questionnaire online. Had you actually contracted to do the mystery shop you would receive a small reimbursement for your groceries in a few weeks and in some instances you would receive an additional fee for completing your mystery shop.

 

7 out of 10 of shoppers prefer to spend in-store

Thu 10 November 2011

A survey of 5,570 UK shoppers conducted by Retail Eyes (recently acquired by Market Force Information), has found that 76.7% of consumers prefer to shop in-store. And despite the mass of tempting offers in shop windows, the majority of consumers (75.6%) say that the best bargains are found online.

With the retail industry waiting with bated breath for the Mary Portas’ High Street review, interestingly 45.2% of the UK shoppers surveyed confirmed they prefer to shop on traditional high streets, compared to malls and online. These consumers said they preferred the traditional high streets and outdoor town centres because they have a wider range of shops and character.

Tim Ogle, CEO at Retail Eyes comments: “It’s clear from our research that consumers still like to take part in the physical shopping ‘experience’ when purchasing products. However, with shoppers still being tempted to spend their money online, believing this is where the best offers are, retailers need to look at what they can offer customers to entice them into the stores.

There’s been little let up in this tough retail climate and there’s only so much retailers can do in terms of price reductions and promotions to offer customers a bargain. Therefore retailers should be looking at what other ways they can differentiate themselves on the high street, in order to drive in-store conversions, one highly cost effective way is by focusing on the experience and service they give to customers.”

Parking is often a source of frustration for consumers, be it on the high street or at shopping centres; 80% confirmed parking at shopping centres was very expensive and 45.8% confirmed they would be put off visiting a shopping centre all together if there were bad or costly parking facilities.

Ogle continued: “Access and parking for shopping centres and on the high street, is a topic many of us are expecting Mary Portas to cover in her review. 72% of consumers we spoke to confirmed they felt parking was ‘too expensive’ on the high street; 42.3% also said they would only queue to up to five minutes to park before leaving. These results show that shopping centre and high street management also have a vital role to play in bringing consumers back to the shops.

“The run up to Christmas is a vital time for businesses. Even though recent British Retail Consortium figures continue to show consumer demand is weak, retailers must look to do everything in their power to maximise the service and experience they give their customers.”