Consumer satisfaction with Singapore's key retail and infocommunications sectors has risen significantly, according to a new survey by the Institute of Service Excellence at SMU (ISES). The Customer Satisfaction Index of Singapore (CSISG) for the first quarter of this year saw the retail sector scoring 71.7 points, a gain of 1.7 points or 2.4 per cent from a year ago, and infocomm scoring 68.5 points, a gain of 1.1 points or 1.6 per cent. The scores are measured on a 0 to 100 scale.

ISES released the CSISG results for the two sectors earlier this month. Commenting on the performance of supermarkets, ISES head of research and consulting Mr Chen Yongchang noted that it is heartening to see that the introduction of self-checkout counters at supermarkets has in fact complemented cashiers in facilitating a smooth payment process, adding that the ease of making payment at supermarkets is the most important driver of satisfaction at supermarkets. Operators should continue improving on this aspect of the supermarket experience, ISES said.