A garden center sales associate is ringing up a customer buying several house plants. How can the associate BEST inform the customer about related products?

• A. Ask the customer questions that prompt him to think of other items he may need.
• B. Ask the manager to bring items to the checkout area so the customer can see them.
• C. Point the customer to the display areas that carry plant accessories.
• D. Hand the customer a leaflet that lists all the plant accessories that your store sells.

Answer: (A)

Asking questions that prompt the customer to think of other items they may need is the best approach because it invites the customer to share their plans and concerns, which lets the associate tailor recommendations to what the customer will actually use. This conversational, needs-based selling feels natural and helpful, making it more likely the customer will see value in adding related items—such as plant food, pots, or care supplies—without feeling pushed. It also builds trust and guides the customer through a logical next step in their purchase.

Bringing items to the checkout area without asking about needs can feel intrusive and presumes a need the customer might not have described. Pointing to display areas is helpful but passive and may miss situations where the customer didn’t notice a useful accessory. Giving a leaflet is informative but doesn’t engage the customer or adapt to what they’re buying, so it’s easy to overlook.