Carl is the president and founder of Customer-1st, a national Mystery Shopper service company started in 1996. With more than 26 years in retail management, Carl understands the need for consumer information in setting the standards companies require for success. Customer-1st now conducts over 6,000 shops a month in all categories of business. On-site exit surveys are also part of the company's list of services along with customer service training programs for retail employees.

"In most cases, the elements to WOW! customers exist inside our clients employees. We help them understand the need to define and then constantly measure customer service for their company in order to set them apart from the competition."

Garden centers in The Group have the opportunity to take part in an on-going mystery shopper program designed exclusively for us by Carl and the staff at Customer-1st. At the end of each scheduled mystery shopper visit, Group centers can compare their own results with all other participating centers. No other service like this is available in the garden center industry.

For Mysery Shopping information contact Wendy Hendrickson, Mystery Shop coordinator, at wendy@thegardencentergroup.com