This article originally appeared here on LinkedIn* Pulse. 

Retail customers can be a demanding group. For years, customers have expected personalized, attentive service from retail sales teams, not to mention exciting, engaging products that fit their needs. These days, retail customers expect even more.

Are you training your sales team to meet an ever-higher bar? Use these three tips to wow your customers and empower your sales reps.

1. Engage Customers From Start to Finish

Whether they’re visiting the store for the first time or returning to make a purchase, retail customers expect a fun, engaging in-store experience. Keep customers engaged from start to finish by: 

• Deploying dynamic displays that highlight great deals and new releases 
• Using personalized, opt-in discounts and deals based on customers' stated preferences and previous purchases 
• Installing smart vending machines that speed the sales process and in-store kiosks that put your entire global inventory at customers' fingertips 
• Ensuring reps are adequately trained about products they sell and how to sell them more effectively

2. Embrace the Power of Apps

Mobile-savvy, on-the-go customers expect apps that enhance and simplify the shopping experience. According to one recent survey by Apptentive*, 74 percent of those surveyed plan to use retail mobile apps to do some of their holiday shopping this year. 

Encourage your team to point customers to your store's mobile Website or app to learn more about your devices and to use apps to demo devices in person. Even when customers don't buy on the spot, apps illuminate cool features and benefits of devices, boosting the chances of an eventual sale.

3. Put Yourself and Your Team in Customers’ Shoes

Think about your sales team's rock star performers for a moment. What core attributes do they share? What makes your sales reps great at upselling, cross-selling, and keeping customers loyal?

One key attribute of successful reps is the ability to empathize and connect with customers. After all, sales reps are potential customers too. They're just as excited about new devices, product modules, and ways of doing things. 

Today, customers expect to be approached as peers or even friends. When you encourage your sales reps to put themselves in prospective customers' shoes, you're really encouraging them to be genuine and acknowledge their common humanity. 

When they meet customers' expectations of genuine, useful, even fun interactions on the sales floor, reps will have a much higher success rate. 

Thanks to exciting new retail technologies like demonstration tablets and dynamic displays, it's easier than ever for reps to engage prospective customers on their terms and meet or exceed their expectations.

Take advantage of the Intel® Retail Edge Program to educate your team on the latest technologies and devices powered by Intel. This fun, engaging program includes interactive tools and helpful sales strategies to inform and excite sales representatives about Intel® products.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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