Focus Group Agency

Customer Research

Customer Service

Why Great Customer Service Matters More Than Ever Recent data highlights that UK customer satisfaction (as measured by the UK Customer Satisfaction Index, UKCSI) has reached 77.3 in July 2025, marking a 1.5‑point increase from July 2024 and the highest level since early 2023. This signals a slowly improving landscape—yet challenges remain. In January 2025, service failures still cost UK organisations a staggering £7.3 billion per month, and just 21% of customers reported increasing their spend due to excellent service, according to the Institute of Customer Service. The Business Case for Great Service UK-Specific Snapshot: Who’s Getting It Right—and Where We’re Falling Short AI isn’t the silver bullet: While AI chatbots offer efficiency, 42% of Brits admit to being ruder to AI than human agents, and 57% have abandoned purchases due to poor support. Top performers: John Lewis (recently overtaking M&S), Nationwide, and Timpson recently topped the UKCSI charts according to theInstitute of Customer Service. Twenty-six percent of customers now say positive personal treatment improves their satisfactionInstitute of Customer Service. Lingering frustrations: A Guardian investigation reports that UK adults spend between 28 and 41 minutes per week wrestling with inefficient service systems—particularly across energy, broadband, NHS, and council servicesThe Guardian. In the telecom sector, providers like TalkTalk, Virgin Media, BT, and EE top the complaint charts, while smaller players such…

Why Customer Service Matters More Than Ever

How biggest brands use market research to fuel innovation and expansion

How Big Brands Use Market Research to Fuel Innovation In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business landscape, companies must make informed decisions to scale effectively. Growth is not just about increasing revenue but about sustainable expansion that aligns with market demand, customer needs, and competitive positioning. One of the most powerful tools for achieving this is market research. Market research provides the data-driven insights businesses need to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and create strategies that lead to long-term success. Whether a company is launching a new product, entering a new market, or optimising its customer experience, market research lays the foundation for confident, strategic decision-making. Understanding Market Research and Its Role in Growth Market research is the systematic process of collecting, analysing, and interpreting information about a market, its consumers, and its competition. It helps businesses: When companies integrate consumer market research into their decision-making processes, they reduce uncertainty, make better strategic choices, and position themselves for sustained growth. Leveraging Market Research for Innovation and Business Expansion 1. Identifying New Market Opportunities One of the primary ways market research drives growth is by identifying untapped opportunities. Businesses can conduct research to explore: Case Study: Netflix’s Global Expansion Netflix’s expansion into international markets is…

How the Biggest Brands Use Market Research to Fuel Innovation