44 Other Ways to Say “Shopper”

A few weeks ago, I heard a retail CEO refer to his customers as guests. It stuck with me. Up until that point, I had only heard that term used in the hospitality industry.

(And of course in the land of Disney, where “cast members” make sure the guests have a great time, and are not allowed to point with a single finger, which I accidently did once and got in big trouble for. But I digress.)

I believe this executive has the right idea. The shopping experience has changed and so have the people doing the buying. Today’s shopper is educated and demanding, with high expectations. She has in-store needs, and she wants all of them met (even those that contradict one another, like privacy and personalization).

Retail marketers who consider her “just a shopper” might be casting too small a net. To give her a great experience, it’s important to understand and respond to her many roles. Because it’s this multi-faceted shopper who now sets the agenda.

To jumpstart thinking about the many faces of the guests in your store, here are 44 Other Things the Shopper Is

1. Maven
2. Reviewer
3. Novice
4. Seeker
5. Skeptic
6. Adventurer
7. Spy
8. Connoisseur
9. Critic
10. Friend
11. Partner
12. Explorer
13. Curator
14. Publisher
15. Hunter
16. Artist
17. Contributor
18. Social Butterfly
19. Guide
20. Style-maker
21. Joiner
22. Reporter
23. Cheerleader
24. Child (wide-eyed)
25. Child (petulant)
26. Discoverer
27. Know-it-all
28. Celebrity
29. Judge
30. Trend-starter
31. Thrill Seeker
32. Bargain Finder
33. Community Member
34. Provider
35. Fashion Victim
36. Practitioner
37. Haggler
38. Visionary
39. Escapist
40. Traveler
41. Economist
42. Idealist
43. Star Worshiper
44. Influencer