There have only been a few times that I’ve come across salespersons who were actually passionate about the product they were trying to sell and had some kind of experience in the department they were working in. For example, a person trying to sell skincare products without really knowing much about skincare is a bummer. For a lot of customers, it is important that a salesperson helps them in finding the right product that suits their needs instead of just badgering them into buying something. Here’s a very good example.
An entrepreneur named Alok Bajpai took to Twitter to share how he recently visited a Decathlon store in Gurugram and came across an employee who is a professional ultra cyclist. The employee, Shankar, has cycled all over India and Europe and is also learning French.
“Companies that treat their employees well always have high customer delight too and each employee becomes a brand ambassador. Shankar from Decathlon in Gurugram today was a great example of that. Amazing customer service with a smile at all times. Found out he is a professional ultra cyclist who has cycled all over India and Europe and is currently learning French. Kudos to Barbara Martin Coppola and Jean Francois Mace for hiring such customer obsessed folks with a passion for sports!” he tweeted.
Have a look:
Companies that treat their employees well always have high customer delight too and each employee becomes a brand ambassador. Shankar from @Decathlon in Gurugram today was a great example of that. Amazing customer service with a smile at all times. Found out he is a professional… pic.twitter.com/kGPpfw4nAh
— Aloke Bajpai (@alokebajpai) August 6, 2023
Several people online lauded Decathlon’s hiring strategy and shared how most of the staff are a delight to interact with and have immense knowledge about the products they are trying to sell. Some even claimed that Decathlon only hires people who are experienced in sports and fitness. Here’s a look at some of the responses:
I am always amazed by the Decathlon staff whenever I visit. They have good communication skills and are able to guide you properly. One of the reasons I prefer shopping there. I wonder what their sales number are, but I am sure they are enjoying a tremendous growth in India.
— Vipul (@Vipul85361953) August 6, 2023
Retail stores have an edge over any other traditional business, and that’s over hiring great folks.
Retail stores don’t have any kind of networked mask, where what persona you want to see, you get, unlike on the internet. The experience is faced in reality, humane. Decathlon…
— vivan. (@VivanVatsa) August 7, 2023
I am constantly amazed at the caliber of their store team. It’s like Disneyland energy, except it’s a decathlon.
Terrific culture selection.
— Ankur Warikoo (@warikoo) August 7, 2023
Agreed! I had a similar experience recently when a salesperson saw me struggling and walked upto me and assisted me. Was also well informed about the product. The level of involvement left me awestruck!
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 7, 2023
He is one amongst the many, met a mountaineer a while back, had done a course in mountaineering from a institute in Uttrakhand and had extensively tracked the Himalayas
— Mehul Gupta (@guptamehul) August 6, 2023
@Decathlon_India @Decathlon staff are outliers.
They are not typically salesy like most chains.
They guide customers to understand their needs and help them to buy.
Need to figure out their hiring and training strategy to uncover the secrets.
— Ankit Rathod (@ankitinsights) August 7, 2023
So Decathlon hires only sports players as their sales executive which makes it win rin for both sales person as well as the customer.
When i first heard this strategy even i was spellbound at the thought process
It’s really an amazing marketing and strategy— Ashu Tomar 🇮🇳 (@ashutomarbhan) August 7, 2023
Most of decathlon sales reps are experts in a few sports. I’ve always received great suggestions on equipment/apparel depending on my level of activity.
— Sachin Mandot (@SachinMandot) August 6, 2023
The energy of any store is determined by its salespersons. We hope other companies are inspired by this.