ONE welcome side-effect of the recession which I seem to have only just noticed has happened in the world of retail.
Now, this may have been occurring for some time, but am I right in thinking that the level of customer service throughout Bolton is actually much better?
I only ask because I’ve recently had several very positive retail experiences that’s made me study customer service more carefully.
A couple of local stores and restaurants were already favourites thanks partly to the high level of service, but I was in Costa Coffee at Middlebrook with my daughter when it really hit me. One of the staff there immediately remembered that my daughter only has soya milk in her drinks.
She must serve scores of people daily, and we go there only occasionally, yet she recalled my daughter’s preference and offered it. Full marks for efficiency.
Then, I was shopping at the Asda store at Burnden last week and called in for a coffee and Danish pastry at the café there. Staff were polite and attentive, pointing out relevant special offers and ensuring I had everything I needed.
You may wonder why these examples of what after all should be expected good service come as a surprise. But, as visitors to other countries, especially America, may have long ago realised, we have not scored highly in customer service for a long time.
America is a byword for good service -  from local delis to chain stores to diners – with staff going out of their way to be courteous and helpful. We regularly go to New Zealand where, again, very good customer service is normal.
Complaints levelled against British staff in what seems like only the recent past included being surly, distracted,  and unhelpful. I’ve actually walked out of stores where checkout staff preferred to have a conversation with each other than serve customers.
All I can assume is that everyone is now valuing their jobs far more and is determined to go the extra mile, and that retail training is much more widespread and improved.
Whatever the reason, it’s lovely to be able to compliment this often-undervalued section of the working populations and congratulate them and employers on a job well done. And if anyone wants to send me  examples of good service locally that they’ve experienced, I’m happy to pass on their recommendations.