Before Your First In-Store Visit Checklist

You should now be fully prepared to go into the stores and be an excellent market researcher! There are a few last check-list items to make sure you are 100% ready to step into your first store visit.

Have you scheduled your pre-visit call to go over any questions?

If not, please submit a Support Ticket to set up a time. You cannot proceed to your first store visit without first having completed a pre-visit call.

Are you familiar with the Vendor Management System (VMS)?

You will be required to check in for your store visits through the VMS. It's a good idea to pull up the VMS on your phone prior to heading out for your store visit to ensure you know how to check in through your phone. You will need to enable location services on your smart phone before you can check in.

Will your data recording method work without wifi?

We are used to having wifi access everywhere. But, some stores may not have wifi or the connection may be poor. It is highly advisable that whatever method of data recording you choose to use (like the datasheets) be accessible offline.

What if I encounter pushy salespeople?

Remember, they are just trying to do their jobs and sell you the merchandise. Be polite, but firm, about the fact that you would like to shop around. They shouldn't continue to bother you if you let them know that you will get their attention if and when you would like their help.

What if I forget everything I just learned?

Your first store visit may seem overwhelming, but having an effective and reliable method for recording data will help immensely. Referencing the datasheets can be a very helpful reminder of what you need to collect during your visits.

What if my store visit is taking a really long time?

Your first store visit will take longer and you will get faster on each subsequent visit. Just like with anything new, you have to learn! If you feel overwhelmed or that your visit is taking too long, feel free to step out, review your notes, take a break and return to the store later.

For most projects, we strongly recommend that you break up your first visit into two sessions. For example, if you have the Burlington Project: we recommend that during your first store visit you collect the data on Apparel. After that, take a break and go back to the store to collect the data on Home.

SAVE SAVE SAVE!

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