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What Kind of Loyal Customers Do You Have?

January 26, 2010 Do you have such loyal customers as Willow Glen, CA, retailer Natalie Thompson discovered that she has?

Who is Natalie Thompson and why do I ask, you wonder …

Her story, which ran in the San Jose Mercury News was brought to my attention. As with many independent retailers, 2009 was difficult year for Thompson's gift store Fleurish. Her 8-year-old business was struggling in a difficult economy, she had to cut back on inventory, and on top of that Thompson had other personal financial setbacks. She decided to close the store. Within 24 hours of sending out an email notice to her neighborhood customer list, she received an outpouring of messages from customers noting how much the store meant to them. But she also received much more … Learn what else her customers did; read on here

This is the power of the personal relationships that small retailers have with customers. This is the value of being involved in your community. Would your customers support you, as Thompson's supported her? I am sure that they would do what they could. Have you had any such feel-good experiences? Tell us about them.

Posted by Caroline Kennedy on January 26, 2010 | Comments (1)