Cosec program aims to retrieve lost customers

Stores can invite back those who didn't buy

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, February 24, 2010

TULSA, Okla. — Advertising and sales training specialist Cosec International is shipping a new customer development program designed to bring back customers who have shopped a store but did not buy.

The program comes with 12 two-sided color postcard-size templates with a special event invitation message for each month.

Retailers, which can tailor the cards to their own stores, hand them out to shoppers who didn't buy as they're leaving the store and also can be mailed to former customers. The program also comes with a system to track its performance and gather other information, and a 10-minute audio sales training program.

The program costs $500 and is offered exclusively to one retailer per marketing area. To date, the company says it has reached about 50 market areas each with a 30-mile radius, said Cosec President Scott Hood.

Cosec says its shopper tracking and customer development system is designed to attract "missed customers" back to the store and ultimately lift retailers' close ratios. Mike Larson, Cosec vice president, said those customers are invited to come back for a future special event.

"Stores that walk out more potential business than they are selling can see a major benefit from this simple program," Larson said.