A personal shopper is a professional who assists individuals in purchasing products according to their personal needs, preferences, and style. They often work in department stores or boutiques, providing advice and suggestions to customers. They may also shop on behalf of the customer, especially for busy individuals or those who need help in making fashion decisions.

On the other hand, direct sales refer to a business model where products are sold directly to consumers, bypassing any middlemen such as retailers or wholesalers. This can be done through various methods such as online sales, door-to-door sales, or home parties. The salesperson in direct sales often works independently, selling products from a specific company.

While both roles involve selling products to customers, the key difference lies in the approach and relationship with the customer. A personal shopper focuses on providing a personalized shopping experience, while a direct salesperson focuses on selling specific products directly to the consumer.

This question was asked on the following book summary:

resource preview

Why We Buy

Why We Buy is filled with decades of research into customer behaviors. By watching customers as they move through stores, Underhill has been able to c...

Download and customize 500+ business templates and translate PowerPoints

Go to dashboard to download stunning resources

Download

book summary Preview

View all chevron_right

Text this question was asked on:

Filled with research results like "21% of browsers will buy a computer on Saturday at 5 o'clock", Why We Buy explains the psychology of shopping and how to use it to get more sales. The book is laid out in three sections. The first section is about the mechanics of shopping and what customers expect in a store layout. The second section focuses on demographics. The shopping behaviors of men, women, children, and seniors are all different, and this section explains why. Retailers can use this information to make buying easy for each group. The third section is about the dynamics of shopping, from product placement to standing in line.

stars icon
Questions and answers
info icon

A small business can use the key topics or framework covered in "Why We Buy" to increase their sales by understanding and applying the principles of customer behavior outlined in the book. This includes understanding the mechanics of shopping and optimizing store layout to meet customer expectations, tailoring their approach to different demographics, and understanding the dynamics of shopping, such as product placement and the customer experience of standing in line. By applying these principles, a small business can enhance the shopping experience for their customers, leading to increased sales.

While the book "Why We Buy" does not specifically name retailers who have implemented its practices, it's known that many successful retailers apply similar principles. For instance, Apple stores are designed with a deep understanding of customer behavior, from product placement to store layout, which aligns with the principles in the book. IKEA also uses a store layout strategy to guide customers through their entire product range, similar to the mechanics of shopping discussed in the book. Lastly, Amazon's recommendation system is a prime example of using customer behavior data to boost sales, reflecting the book's emphasis on understanding different demographics.

View all questions
stars icon Ask another question