The UK services sector recorded its slowest growth in five years, according to figures released yesterday.
Rising market costs have seen numbers drop from 52.1 in March to 50.4 in April, says the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply and growth is indicated by a figure above fifty.
This is worrying news, with the service sector accounting for two thirds of the country's economy, but shopping trends expert Paul Nadin is confident the industry will pick back up.
Nadin, founder of www.reviewcentre.com, said: "The market slowing is simply a sign of the current economic uncertainty. People are more aware of their spending and are cutting back on items which could be considered luxuries.
"The latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index has shown improvements in customer service, across a range of sectors, and services has once again topped the poll for most happy customers so the lack of growth is no reflection on the industry itself."
The UK Customer Satisfaction Index was piloted in 2007 and since then the services sector has topped the table for offering best overall customer service.
Retail, automotive firms and insurers also ranked highly but some of the Index results have surprised Nadin.
He said: "A number of individual firms were highlighted in the Index for their exceptional customer service but reviewers on our website had some contradicting opinions.
"John Lewis, for example, ranked highly in the Index but our reviewers only gave a 56 per cent recommendation, with quality of service achieving just 5.5 out of a possible 10. This shows the customer service experience is not a winner with all shoppers.
"On the other hand, First Direct was highlighted on the Index for its high level of customer satisfaction and our users awarded it 8.8 points for cash points, Internet banking <http://www.reviewcentre.com/products316.html> and customer service, as well as an 89 per cent recommendation.
"This is perhaps the most interesting result as it shows, even in financially turbulent times, good customer service can still keep bank customers happy."
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