ACE HARDWARE RANKS #1 IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION FOR THE 10th YEAR IN A ROW

The J.D. Power 2016 Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Survey awarded Ace Hardware top ranking for their 10^th straight year. The study surveys 2,995 customers who purchased home improvement-related products from a home improvement retailer in the last 12 months, and was conducted in January and February 2016.

On a 1,000 point scale, Ace Hardware scored 810 in overall customer satisfaction, followed by Menard’s with a score of 803. Lowe’s placed 3^rd at 799. The overall average across retailers was 795, up from 788 a year ago. The Home Depot was just at the average with 794. The study found that average drops significantly when an initial greeting in the store takes longer than 2 minutes. Customers also want the retailer to provide advice, and be able to answer their questions effectively in the store. "The retailer's staff is most critical to differentiating the experience provided to customers, especially when it comes to the timeliness of greeting customers, answering their questions or providing advice," said Greg Truex, senior director of the at-home practice at J.D. Power. "Retailers that train their employees to engage with customers proactively and assist them are more likely to provide them with a satisfying experience during these moments of truth."

Ace scored 855 in staff and service compared to 811 average.

According to the Home Improvement Research Institute, home improvement consumer spend is on the rise, with an expected 4% increase this year to $332 billion.

Source: Chain Store Age, JD Power.com