Who Can Be a Shopper?

Everyone. Whether you are male or female, young or mature, living by yourself or with a partner, with children or no children, with a pet or not - the list goes on. We have all kinds of people on our database of shoppers.

Why Do You Need All Kinds of People?

Because businesses have all kinds of customers! Businesses want to see how their customers are treated when no-one is watching. They also want to know what their customers think about their brand, their service and their products.

But some businesses have quite different customer profiles. For example:

• A swimwear shop will target females - no point sending in a guy!

• A chain of gymns specialising in body building may specify a male aged 25 - 45

• A childcare centre wants a shopper who is a parent of young children

• We know from experience that most males won't go and have their legs waxed!

• A pet shop checking their service would need someone with a cat or dog

• Bridal wear stores usually stipulate females between 25 and 45

• Checking a carwash necessitates having a car

• Some financial services target the over 45s - no point sending in a teenager!

Other businesses target the full range of customers. For example:

• Banks - everyone has a bank account, whether young or old

• Lunch bars - everyone eats lunch (although some target particular ages groups)

• Hotels - everyone stays at hotels (although some target business peopl of family groups

• Airlines - everybody flies!

Shadow Shopper. See your business through your customers' eyes.

Shadow Shopping History and Facts

Many people are surprised that there is such a thing as mystery shopping and think it is something new. But did you know that:

• Shadow shopping started in the 1940's

• A shadow shopper was in the 1941 movie
  The Devil and Miss Jones (see below)

• Shadow shopping originally measured
  employee integrity in the banking industry

• Shadow shopping is used in many industries,
  not just retail stores

• Shadow shopping measures quality of products
  and services

• Shadow shoppers can check compliance with
  regulations and standards