NRF announces top ten retailers for customer service

The NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation, has announced the top 10 finalists selected by shoppers in the annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers' Choice survey. The survey, which asked 8,526 shoppers which retailer provides the best customer service, was conducted by BIGresearch.

The rank of each retailer will be announced at NRF's Annual Retail Industry Luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 during NRF's 99th Annual Convention and EXPO. The complete list of retailers that shoppers selected as having the best customer service will also be released at that time.

According to shoppers, the top ten retailers for customer service, in alphabetical order, are:

• Amazon.com
• Coldwater Creek
• HSN
• JCPenney
• Kohl's Department Stores
• Lands' End
• LL Bean
• Nordstrom
• Overstock.com
• QVC
• Zappos

The survey is designed to gauge consumer attitudes toward retailers' customer service, to promote best practices in customer service and to recognize retailers providing excellent customer service. The survey was conducted Sept. 1-9, 2009.

BIGresearch is a consumer market intelligence firm that provides unique consumer insights that are gathered online utilizing very large sample sizes. BIGresearch's syndicated Consumer Intentions and Actions survey monitors the pulse of more than 8,000 consumers each month to empower its clients with unique insights for identifying opportunities in a fragmented and changing marketplace.

American Express is a leading global payments, network, and travel company founded in 1850. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.

The NRF Foundation is the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation. A non-profit foundation created in 1981, the Foundation conducts industry research, develops education and workforce development programs, professional certification programs and promotes retailing as a career destination. The NRF Foundation benefits retailers, their associates and business partners and allies, and consumers in many ways. Research provides the basis for education about the industry and its importance to the economy, and provides industry and government leaders with an analysis of public policy decisions on consumers, retailers, and the economy. The Foundation's education and career development efforts, including NRF University wired, encourage professional development and excellence in performance of retailing for associates and executives at all levels.