Which method can retailers use to determine customer needs?

Surveys and interviews are effective methods for retailers to determine customer needs because they provide direct insights from the customers themselves. By engaging with customers through questionnaires or one-on-one discussions, retailers can gather specific information about preferences, buying behaviors, satisfaction levels, and unmet needs. This method allows retailers to ask targeted questions and clarify responses, gaining a deeper understanding of customer opinions and desires that might not be visible through other methods.

While personal observation can provide valuable insights into customer behaviors and shopping patterns, it may lack the depth of understanding that can be achieved through direct feedback. Selling patterns analysis is useful for identifying trends based on sales data but does not explain the motivations behind those behaviors. Similarly, product return statistics can indicate dissatisfaction or identify problem areas, but they do not capture the full scope of customer needs and preferences as effectively as surveys and interviews.