Counter Selling.

[emmab]

Is it just me or is it annoying ? If you had the option in your store to have it, or not have it, which would you choose? I'm quite lucky in the sense that I ever rarely step foot behind a till, but we are supposed to offer which ever item happens to be on promotion at that particular time. I rate it the same way I would door to door selling. If it is at your counter people will impulse buy. Firstly,if customers are in a rush it's the last thing they want to hear. And secondly it wastes so much time and increases the queing time for others. And I always feel really cheeky. !!! I think it should be banished forever! (i've had my rant, so now i'm calm ;) :D )

[boss44]

I hate it. Both as a customer and as a worker. Unfortunately it sometimes comes as part of your job description, and they can do sneaky things like making it effect your bonus if you don't perform well enough.

[retailworld]

Generally independents don't countersell - there are pro's and con's attached.

Pro's
- Sell more stuff - increase basket total and therefore profit
- Clear dead stock from the business
- Add-on sales might remind the customer to purchase something

Con's
- If you ask the same customers every day you are likely to lose them
- Choose your products carefully or you're wasting your time

Rather than counterselling as such, add-on sales are so much more effective:
- Greetings card & Stamps
- Cigarettes & Lights/Matches
- Torch & Batteries
- BOGOHP offers

Recommendations can also go a long way - if you know your products you can advise accordingly:
- Like Lucozade? Try their new flavour...
- Like Mars? What about Mars Planets?