By George Anderson
Bed Bath & Beyond in Pleasant Hill, Ca. wanted to make its customers feel special and keep traffic moving smoothly through its parking lot, as well as in its store this holiday season, so it decided to offer free valet parking.
Susan Corby, district training director at Bed Bath & Beyond, told the Contra Costa Times that parking can be a frustrating exercise and, in previous holiday seasons, "you could sense the tension in the store. ... We thought we'd do something different this year."
The Pleasant Hill store is located in a busy strip mall and is the only Bed Bath & Beyond in the area offering the service.
Joe Rothway, East Bay manager for Signature Parking, said Bed Bath & Beyond has hired his company specifically for holiday shopping. The store has offered the free service on weekends since Thanksgiving and for the full week leading up to Christmas.
"It's actually a good idea," he said. "Most people don't want to wait in traffic in a parking lot or drive around to get a spot."
Customers love the service and not having to pay for it.
Linda Hansen of Concord, Ca., said, "I knew parking was going to be a nightmare. It's great. Who needs to wait around?"
Moderator's Comment: Do services such as free valet parking pay for themselves during busy holiday seasons by attracting more shoppers to stores and encouraging repeat visits? What innovative ways have retailers made holiday shopping easier on consumers this year? - George Anderson - Moderator