They say that you can tell a lot about a society by its advertising. If this is true, Irish society has shifted in the past twelve months as ‘staying in’ is becoming the new ‘going out’. You may have seen brands capitalise on this with changes in their messaging such as the new Smirnoff ‘Dress up and Stay in’ ads.

TV stations are also updating their programming with new shows such as RTÉ’s ‘Take on the takeaway’. This new show features celebrity chefs such as Kevin Dundon compete against the contestants’ take-aways to try to beat them in the area of price, speed of delivery and taste.

As consumers demand better value on their weekly shop, they are turning to review websites and forums to find out where to shop and what products to buy. One website that is catering for this effectively is CheapEats – a blog about eating well in Ireland while getting value for money.

…

Today’s customers have more choice, are better informed and are more demanding of value when they are spending their hard earned cash. They look not only for the products and services that meet their needs at the price they are willing to pay, but for the merchant that recognizes, appreciates and rewards their custom. So what is beyond price, convenience and service?

If you put on your consumer hat, you’ll understand that it’s the little things that matter most. Little things like looking a customer in the eye, greeting them, smiling, and carrying on a human conversation go a long way towards marketing a company as friendly and welcoming. Even thanking people for their business is something that doesn’t cost the business owner and is valued by the customer.

…