New Research on Leading Retailers Reveals Vital Balance of Customer Experience and Operational Efficiency

The digital customer experience for retailers remains critical to safeguard customer loyalty and retail profits, according to a new report detailing customer satisfaction rankings of 25 preeminent retailers announced by Verint®. 

Based on consumer survey panel data from more than 6,000 shoppers, the Verint Experience Index™: Retail report benchmarks customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores® for the top 25 retailers based on revenue. The study examines key trends and data that drive the digital experience and help shape consumer behavior across all channels including stores.

The study finds that retailers are paying a high price when they don’t deliver on digital customer service expectations. Consumers, unable to find the information they need online, resort to calling the contact center. Of those surveyed, nearly half (47%) of those who had contacted customer service did so following an inability to complete an interaction digitally. This digital defection can trigger shopper frustration by eating into a consumer’s most precious resource—time.

“In this case, time is money, as retailers run the risk of customers taking their business elsewhere. What’s more, retailers also see diminished returns on the investments they’ve made in their websites and digital engagement platforms while having to increase spending in the contact center,” says Verint’s Nancy Treaster, SVP and general manager, strategic operations. “According to our Index, by converting just one-quarter of those callers to a successful digital self-service journey, retailers could save over $1 million for every 1 million calls.”

The research quantifies four key elements that comprise a best-in-class digital experience. Amazon was rated highest across the board in all four drivers—navigation, look and feel, site information and site performance. Target scored high marks in navigation, look and feel and site information while grocery brand Publix scored well against other brands.

Customers who report having a great experience have a 74% higher likelihood-to-recommend-the-brand score, and an 85% higher likelihood-to-recommend-the-site score.

Download the Verint Experience Index: Retail for the full rankings and more insights, including details on the omnichannel customer journey, on the 25 retailers featured.

About the Report

For more than a decade, the Verint Experience Index has chronicled digital and omnichannel experiences across key industries from banking, to retail, to government. This edition of the Index, a panel survey report published February 2020, examines and ranks digital experiences of the top 25 retailers in the U.S. based on retail revenue as determined by National Retail Federation’s (NRF) STORES annual ranking (excluding quick service brands including Yum! Brands, Inc.). More details about fielding and the report methodology are detailed in the report. The contact centre savings of $1 million per 1 million calls is based on an average call time of 9 minutes at $1 per minute.

About Verint Systems Inc.

Verint® (Nasdaq: VRNT) is a global leader in Actionable Intelligence® solutions with a focus on customer engagement optimization and cyber intelligence. Today, over 10,000 organizations in more than 180 countries—including over 85 percent of the Fortune 100—count on intelligence from Verint solutions to make more informed, effective and timely decisions.

Learn more about how we’re creating A Smarter World with Actionable Intelligence® at www.verint.com.