THE EDITORIAL
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Some Wagga store owners will be in for a nasty shock today when they are visited by a mystery shopper.
Retail expert Debra Templar will undertake the shopping experience in the city.
After her spree Ms Templar will reveal all at a business seminar tomorrow morning.
The results should be interesting to say the very least.
Unfortunately many people have had horror experience while shopping in the city.
How many of us have been greeted by a gum-chewing teenager with a grunt at best, or worse still, have just been left standing in the middle of a store without being approached by anyone whatsoever?
Cheery smiles and warm welcomes appear to be few and far between.
However Ms Templar will be hoping to change all that.
She will reveal her thoughts on many city businesses, including customer service and merchandising techniques.
And it's not before time.
Many local retailers need a wake-up call particularly with the internet now eating into their sales.
Ms Templar will also compare her Wagga shopping experience with other cities around Australia, and will be hoping to obtain an outsiders view on what she likes or dislikes about shopping in the city.
She quite rightly believes a happy shopper will spend money.
Larry Buete, Wagga Business Chamber manager, says its important for any retail business to be mystery shopped "as it's a great learning opportunity."
Here's hoping he is correct.
The chamber has been doing its level best to boost the standard of retailing in the city and they are to be congratulated for that.
The reintroduction of the Crow Awards is a step in the right direction.
Wagga needs a strong retailing sector because if it performs well, we all benefit.