Sell and forget is no longer a viable business strategy. Retailers today rely on repeat business, word of mouth, and customer loyalty to drive recurring revenue and succeed in today's competitive business environment. Customers expect a seamless experience that provides value, informs, and delights from the moment they walk in the door through post-sale service and support. Business experience differentiation matters; customer experiences matter.

Traditional retailers and service providers from car mechanics to medical professionals can enhance the customer experience by providing DIRECTV viewing on TVs strategically positioned around the store or waiting room. Keeping customers entertained while they shop or wait for service can contribute to pleasant experience where customers shop longer and make it more likely they will leave a positive review for a business. DIRECTV can help promote a positive customer experience.

Waiting for service is one of the most scrutinized factors when it comes to a customer's experience. This is especially true for medical, beauty and wellness, and automotive services. Unfortunately, serving customers promptly is not always possible, however a businesses can certainly make time go more smoothly by showing entertainment content.

ESPN, HGTV, Food Network and talk shows on local channels are good neutral content while CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Speed, Doctor TV, Garden Channel, and the Outdoor Channel could tie into the specific customer demographics. Children's programming on PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, and Disney could also help parents dealing with short attention spans—allowing a client to check in, fill out paperwork, and wait for service in a more pleasant environment.

Retailers are also competing to provide outstanding customer experience. Most consumers are looking for more value than coming into a store, buying a product, and leaving. Empowered by technology and powerful online experiences, retail customers have increased expectations when it comes to brick-and-mortar shopping.

Businesses should consider DIRECTV to enhance the shopping environment. Presenting sports, popular music, news programming, or even dramas and comedy could prolong a shopper's visit in the store. And the longer they stay, the more likely they are to buy your products or services.

Consider these examples:

• Grocery stores can show the Food Network to give customers menu ideas.
• Hardware stores can show HGTV or Home and Garden for the same reason.
• Stores that sell urban fashion can pump one of the many house music channels.
• Sporting goods stores can present Fox Sports, MLB Network, Tennis, Sportsman, or pay-per-view sports.

DIRECTV packages for business start at $29.99 per month (+ taxes) for 45+ channels (and can offer up to 200+ TV and music channels)—giving customers a myriad of entertainment choices from national sports and news to music and local channels. Potential add-ons include MLB Extra Innings, Fox Soccer Plus, En Espanol, and Music Choice.

• Service providers and retailers can focus on an enhanced customer experience to increase repeat business, reviews and referrals, and customer loyalty in an effort to drive recurring revenue.
• Service providers can offer clients DIRECTV sports, news, music, and entertainment content in waiting rooms. Retailers can present DIRECTV programming to educate customers and elongate the shopping experience—potentially leading to increased spend, better reviews, loyalty, and repeat business.
• DIRECTV plans start at $29.99 per month (+ taxes) and can offer up to 200+ TV and music channels—making the choice to entertain and inform customers an easy business decision.