European Textile Services Association

BOOSTING YOUR CORPORATE IMAGE FROM THE GROUND UP.
OR
WELCOME YOUR CUSTOMERS BY BOOSTING YOUR CORPORATE IMAGE.

E.T.S.A. survey finds entrance mats enhance perception of businesses.

In the summer, E.T.S.A. (the European Textile Services Association) commissioned a pan-European survey into consumers' perceptions of entrance mats. This extensive survey was conducted in seven major European cities (Berlin, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, Munich, Paris, Vienna) and comprised over 900 face-to-face interviews in city centres.

The survey showed a remarkable degree of unanimity across Europe in the way in which mats were perceived. Overall, there was a strong feeling amongst consumers that mats enhanced the images of those businesses that used them. This was reflected in the remarkably high score of of respondents (81% average for Europe) who thought that mats created a positive image for the shops that used them. A slightly lower, but none the less significant number of respondents, (62% average for Europe), thought that shops with mats had a more professional appearance than those without. In purely functional terms, mats also scored very highly as 88% (average for Europe) of people thought that mats would increase cleanliness in shops.

These findings indicate that while, as may be expected, plain mats have an extremely well-appreciated functional use, custom designed mats can be an excellent way to boost a company's corporate image. They give consumers a positive signal about the company's attitude, care and professionalism, even before they enter the shop. Creating this kind of positive mindset at such an early stage can give sales staff an invaluable platform of goodwill to build on.

According to SPOKESPERSON, "This survey demonstrates the clear benefits that a clean, branded entrance mat can bring to any business. Mats are not only functionally effective, they are an excellent and cost-effective way of boosting a company's corporate image at one of the most important points, the customer interface."

The E.T.S.A. survey shows that mats can be an unexpected and cost-effective way to promote your corporate image.