• Mystery Shopping your Customer Experience

  • Written by Robert Brocklesby, Senior Client Success Manager at Proinsight Mystery Shopping.

     

    In today’s fast-paced UK market, many businesses are focused on chasing the next big sale. But what if the real key to long-term success isn’t the next customer – but the one you already have?

    The secret lies in understanding and maximising Customer Lifetime Value. The longer a customer stays loyal, the more valuable they become. Yet, too often, poor service, inconsistent experiences, or lack of engagement cause businesses to lose customers who could have been lifelong advocates.

    Let’s bring this to life with a simple example:


    How much do you spend on haircuts in 10 years?


    If you get a trim every month at £30 per visit, that’s £3,600 over a decade. Suddenly, that single transaction feels a lot more significant when viewed through the lens of loyalty.

    That’s why the most successful brands focus on long-term customer relationships rather than one-off transactions.

     

    So how do you build and protect that value?

     

    This is where mystery shopping becomes a game-changer.


    At Proinsight, we help service providers unlock hidden revenue by ensuring every customer interaction strengthens loyalty. Through real-time, data-driven insights, we assess how well your team delivers on service promises, whether you’re meeting expectations consistently, and where small changes can have a big impact.

    After all, it’s widely accepted that acquiring a new customer can cost 5x more than retaining an existing one. That’s a cost businesses can’t afford to ignore.

    Our tailored mystery shopping programmes empower you to:

    • Refine your customer journey
    • Equip your teams to exceed expectations
    • Identify pain points that cause customers to disengage
    • Drive long-term loyalty and profitability

    By investing in customer experience intelligence, you’re not just improving today’s numbers – you’re increasing the lifetime value of every customer who walks through your doors.


    David Hopkins

    David Hopkins

    Managing Director at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    David has a long history in the business of doing good business. In 2008, he co-founded Proleisure, a leisure consulting company, where he identified a growing need for deeper customer insights across the industry. This led to the launch of Proinsight Mystery Shopping in 2014, with a vision to provide businesses with the valuable data needed to enhance customer experience.

    Now, as we approach our 10th year, Proinsight has become a leading provider of specialist mystery shopping, auditing, and research programs, serving a diverse range of sectors across the UK including real estate, fitness, retail, hospitality, and so many more. We remain committed to helping our clients achieve excellence and drive meaningful improvements in their businesses.

    David is deeply committed to enhancing customer service across all industries. His passion lies in providing valuable mystery shopping insights that empower clients to take actionable steps towards improvement. By delivering these insights directly, David helps businesses create effective strategies to elevate their customer experience and drive meaningful change.


    Chloe Kinch

    Chloe Kinch

    Director of Client Success at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    Chloe joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as an Account Manager in 2017. Prior to her role at Proinsight, she served as National Sales Manager at Parkwood Leisure, where she gained extensive experience in exceeding customer expectations and developed a deep understanding of the leisure industry.

    Chloe quickly advanced within Proinsight, progressing from Account Manager in 2017 to Head of Client Success in 2020, and ultimately to Director of Client Success and shareholder in 2022. In her current role, she leads client relationships with prestigious brands such as David Lloyd, Dyson, and Apple. Chloe is responsible for designing bespoke mystery shopping programs tailored to each client's specific needs, aimed at enhancing customer service and optimising sales processes across various industries, including real estate, hospitality, retail, leisure, and more.


    Lucy Winn

    Lucy Winn

    Brand and Communications Manager at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

    After graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Westminster, Lucy successfully grew and scaled her own e-commerce womenswear clothing business over a span of four years, expanding into international retail markets including Japan, the US, and France. With extensive expertise in brand development and digital communications, Lucy has driven commercial growth through strategic initiatives like influencer marketing, digital campaign management, and both online and offline retail expansion.

    In July 2024, she joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as Brand and Communications Manager, where she leads the strategy and management of all digital platforms, including the website and social media, with a focus on driving shopper sign-ups and generating client leads. Additionally, she oversees event management for both internal company days and major external summits like Connect CX. At these events, we emphasise the critical importance of exceptional customer service across various industries, positioning it as a cornerstone of a brand’s overall UX strategy.