Rocambolesc has great but pricey soft serve gelato. Trying to escape the Houston heat, I decided to drop by Rocambolesc because I had heard so many great things about their location in Spain. The chain is headed by a three Michelin star chef Jordi Roca who is believed by some to be one of the best pastry chefs in the world. While this is not necessarily pastry, I wanted to see what he would do with desserts. When you first step in, there is definitely a childlike whimsy to the decor of the place. They have plenty of seats inside as well as outside. I was hoping to see unique flavors, but I did like the few flavors they did sample. Beyond the soft serve gelato, they do have coffee and few prepackaged sweets to buy. When you order, you do get the soft serve gelato with unlimited toppings, which I wish I knew that so I could better select the combination. I did get mango passionfruit (4,5/5) which was super smooth and creamy with the right amount of tartness from the passionfruit and sweetness from mango. The fruits and nuts I got to add were a nice combination. My favorite was the nutella drizzle on top... smooth with little crunchy pieces. My only complaint was the price... While I did enjoy it, I am not sure it was worth the cost... The service was pretty friendly. Located in the Uptown Park plaza, there was parking readily available when I went on a weekday, but could vary depending on how the plaza gets. Overall, Rocambolesc offers great soft serve gelato with unlimited toppings but may be reserved for a special occassion. read more

Rocambolesc - Mango Passionfruit - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

Aesthetically pleasing, but that's about all it had going for it. So expensive for such a small portion, and not a great flavor selection. Also the toppings were trying too hard. read more

Rocambolesc - Gelato - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

Not just a gelato spot, not just a coffee spot, something more. Very good and tasty selection. I went in with 15 students as we were preparing for a Christmas concert and every single one was happy with their selection. Gelato seems steep until you consider that all mix-ins are already included in the price. Biggest regret is not getting the hot ice cream sandwich. Considering how many of us there were, with one person behind the counter, things were quicker than you'd expect. The holiday decor was very cute and timely. read more

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It's "okay". I had enjoyed it on the several times I was in the area and stopped in. But I don't remember any OMG moments compared to other favorites around town. But sometimes good enough is good enough, money no object. read more

Located in the uptown region of Houston, Rocambolesc serves excellent gelato, drinks, and snacks. It allows unlimited choice of toppings that you would find in a frozen yogurt shop, except it is not charged by weight. First time ever going to a gelato shop that does this...we loved it. This is the only Rocambolesc (meaning extraordinary and unlikely in Spanish) gelato shop in the U.S. with six other locations found around Spain. It is owned by Jordi Roca, a 3 star Michelin pastry chef, and his wife, Ale Rivas. They have a very playful and informative web site that I browsed after my visit. It is located in a series of upscale shops, surrounded by a large parking lot. It is a typical ice cream shoppe process, where you get in line to order and pay. You then walk to the other side of the counter, where the servers will prescoop the gelato for you and then ask you what toppings you want. I got a small mango & passion fruit ($6.95) and my nephew got a large strawberry & lime ($9.95). He let me taste his and it was refreshing, neither flavor was overpowering. I was happy to see that they had popping boba available so got both flavors (strawberry and mango) of that , and then added some whole fresh berries (raz and blue). They also have cake and fudge chunks. It's all done by the server and they do a nice job of layering. The result is a work of art that tasted so good, especially if you like different flavors of fruit. Obviously, the amount of toppings is limited to what will 'safely' fit on top of the gelato. It's one of the few times where I finished the whole thing straightaway, with the proportions being just right to make every bite be exactly what I wanted. Definitely a place to go for dessert after eating at the many restaurants using the same large parking lot, or even coming just for it, if you have an ice cream lover in your party looking for a unique experience. read more

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My wife was super thrilled to try this place and we finally had the chance to do so today. It's in Uptown Park which is a nice area. There's plenty of parking, and there's other shops and food places to go to which makes this place a good after meal treat. I didn't know much about this place, but I was surprised to find out it's not a regular gelato place. I was expecting to get a basic pistachio gelato, but they unfortunately don't have it. They have soft serve gelato, which I've never had before - but still no pistachio though. I got the chocolate soft serve which happens to be the most popular flavor according to the nice guy that helped us. It also comes with unlimited toppings. I'm pretty indecisive so I let them pick the toppings for me. Now it might just be because I was expecting a traditional gelato, but I wasn't a fan of it. I actually wasn't able to finish my small cup. Another thing we didn't like was the steep price. For the price you'll pay you can get a better tasting treat at Van Leeuwen in the same plaza. The place is super cute, and the workers there are super nice. They are a chain from Spain by a Michelin star chef. With that being said, we probably won't be returning. read more

Rocambolesc - Front of store - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ever since Pinkberry closed I've been trying to find a new frozen yogurt place. This hit the spot. The yogurt is very good flavor and loved the unlimited toppings. I did dock a star off because the price is a little much but would come back. read more

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It was a cute little shop and the perfect location for an after dinner treat. They have little tables outside that you can sit and enjoy the view. They also have inside tables. You can sample the flavors and once you pick your gelato, the toppings are as many as you want no additional charge. I went for the tart yogurt bc it's a difficult thing to find in the city these days. ‍ To me it wasn't very tart at all and had a full almost cheesecake type flavor. It felt heavy and more like ice cream to me. So, it depends on what you're looking for. I definitely recommend the small size bc it's oddly very filling. Staff was helpful, friendly and didn't rush you. Cool little place to check out, probably read more

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Went to Rocambolsec w my son and we LOVED the gelato. I got the blood orange which was delicious and my son got chocolate with two kinds of butter cookie topping. Both were really good. Also love that they have a program where they hire differently abled young adults. Great work. Great place for gelato! read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

This was so expensive for just ice cream. There were not many flavors available and it was kind of unimpressive. On the upside, The staff was really friendly. read more

Yummm!! Small and quaint place! Very refreshing! Was able to try different flavors before deciding...very friendly staff read more

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We were seeking a dessert place after having dinner in Uptown Park, and while making our way to Van Leeuwen's, my dining partner pointed this place out as a dessert option instead. I had never heard of it before, but I'm always up for a new dessert place! I was a bit skeptical walking in. I wasn't aware they offered "soft serve gelato" which I had never heard of. The prices were pretty steep, and there were only six flavor options. I went ahead and sampled the strawberry and mango sorbets, and the yogurt. The mango was very nice, but that yogurt was surprisingly awesome! I was informed that it was made with goat milk, which gave it that unique tasty flavor. Each order choice of three toppings with your order, so I went with the melted chocolate with crispy rice, popping boba, and purple marshmallow. My friend ordered the chocolate and peanut butter mix swirl and thoroughly enjoyed his. We both went for the medium size which was $8.25 apiece before taxes and still rather small. I enjoyed it to the last bite. Texture wise it just tasted like soft served ice cream, but it was still delicious. Also offered here are small popsicles, waffles, cakes, toast, chocolates, and other delectables, so there's something for everyone. Outside on the patio there's two cute swings for that perfect Instagram photo as well as more seating. Apparently the owner was featured on a Netflix food show, but I hadn't seen it. Overall nice place if you're willing to spend a little more for a tasty product. read more

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Pretty good but expensive compared to other places. There were only 6 flavor options, and they do soft serve gelato, which I've never seen before. You can get a bunch of toppings as well. read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is a small gelato place tucked in the Highland Village area. Parking was easy this evening, assuming since it's Sunday evening, but shocking since it's the eve of the beginning of Spring Break. When we entered, we noticed a handful of families seated and eating their gelato. The ordering seems a bit backwards as you pay first and then they make your order - in other places, you pick your gelato/ice cream along with toppings and THEN pay. This establishment is a bit pricey coming in at over $6 a pop - just for a small gelato. As you select larger sizes, the price increases. I ordered the vanilla gelato with baked apple (pictured). While it tasted good, I don't feel as though it was worth the steep cost. What I do commend them doing is hiring those with disabilities. That is amazing! While it does take a bit longer to order and checkout, it is commendable that they're giving these young adults the experience! read more

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Stumbling into this place when I got out of Etoile restaurant next door to it. Surprisingly their gelato is good and I'm not a fan of gelato. Price range is very reasonable compare to an uptown place. They have some cute "popsicle" ice cream with different shape. read more

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Cute and quirky gelateria - two flavors without milk product today, strawberry and violet. Staff person helpful and so many toppings to choose from! We loved the marshmallow, crispy raspberry, and green crispy white chocolate the most. One friend was able to get a mixed swirl of the gelato. The gelato has a nice, smooth texture - almost like frozen yogurt - and it also tasted light and not too sweet. Our group of 7 just loved the atmosphere and ample indoor and outdoor seating. Restroom also spotless. Highly recommended for dessert!! It was $45 pre tip for 7 people today. Inside Uptown Park, plenty free parking and valet is also available. read more

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We stopped by here for a sweet treat after a meal next door. The store itself is cute and they sell fun items to go. I am used to gelato being displayed and scooped to serve, but this was a soft serve kind of place. First for me. The staff kind of just stood there as we perused the menu. No pleasantries were exchanged or help offered, they just stared blankly at us. I decided on the strawberry gelato and wanted a few toppings. If I did not take a closer look at the menu, I would never have known they offer three toppings at no extra charge. Some of the toppings were new to me and I asked about them, and they employee basically did not know either and gave very vague answers just to appease me. What I did get was tasty and refreshing on that summer day. Would I come back? Eh, only if someone really wanted to come here and I did not have a choice. Way to many other places in town to satisfy this sweet tooth. read more

Rocambolesc - Strawberry Gelato w/ Strawberry Pearls and Strawberry Jelly - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

They get a 10/10 in presentation. Location is very cute and they have lots of toppings options. The kids enjoyed their ice cream but I didn't . It didn't tasted like gelato to me . It was more of a soft serve ice cream. Being our first time there we had high expectations. Service was meh, the guy seemed annoyed by the questions asked . A bit pricey IMO. read more

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I got the medium with the strawberry and vanilla while my friend got the chocolate. There are no signs that tell you that you are only allowed three toppings. Thankfully I read Ariyani's review on Yelp so I knew what to expect. I didn't know that this was a gelato soft serve. I went in with the expectations that I would get some kind of a gelato. While I was not a fan of my strawberry sugar high, I did love the chocolate. Way too overpriced and didn't really have any wow factor except for perhaps the presentation. The frozen stuff that I didn't buy looked very ig worthy. Maybe if I go on a different time I won't feel so rushed but going around 8:30 on a Friday is not recommended. read more

Rocambolesc - Strawberry and vanilla with an "assortment" of toppings. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

I have been here a few times and it has always been good. Today it was a total disaster. I got a triple chocolate shake(which I have had multiple times before so I know how it tastes and how it looks). Today it was nowhere near thar. Watery, very watery. And the triple chocolate? I don't know where the triple comes from because a lot of milk with a little gelato is not it. It usually has little bits of crunch(which is why I chose this one over others). There was none. Horrible service. 2 employees that is very clear that they do not want to be there. $10 wasted because the shake went straight into the trash. This is definitely the last time. read more

Van Leeuwen Uptown has new rival perhaps? Although you won't find mac and cheese ice cream at this joint, you will find some equally creative creations nestled in Wonkaesque decor. I'm sure I'm not the only one who sauntered in wondering "what is this wonderland". Here's the skinny (ha, the irony of the phrase in this context): If you're looking for ice cream, they offer about 6 base flavors dispensed from soft serve/ froyo style vats + about 6 Rec flavor combinations. If you're uninspired, you can also go rogue (like yours truly) and build your own treat BUT you are limited to 3 add in items. I tried the: *Ultravioleta- an ice forward ice cream with flavorful, creative toppings. The marshmallow was my personal favorite. *Chocolate build your own with hazelnut dust, cocoa nibs and a dark chocolate shell- a rich, flavorful chocolate ice cream base. Highly recommend. If you're craving diversity, they also offer waffles, savory sandwiches, toasts, cookies, cake, Wonka bars (ehh, their version of them), Instagramable popsicles and a TV marketing their specialty goods. While unique, this place is definitely not everyone's flavor, but it's nice to see some Uptown (sugar and) spice. read more

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Another nice ice cream shop is always a welcome sight. I first visited Rocambolesc a few years ago in Girona, Spain and was blown away by the ice cream flavors and unusual toppings; including their cotton candy and freeze dried fruits. As of this review, the shop recently opened up in Houston's Uptown Park shopping center. I first tried the apple pie and chocolate soft-serve options with their cake toppings. Everything was great. The flavors were super rich and only slightly strong for my taste. read more

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It was nuts coming here, everyone wants the hype and everyone wants the smoke! Including me! Line was long, but you can quickly find the end of the line. Not to mention, in efforts to keep the line moving, an employee came by each person to answer any questions about the menu. This was great because every single person had questions! Super cute and whimsical inside, on the left side is a little freezer that has additional popsicles that are creative and fun looking! Indoor and outdoor seating available- very instagrammable as well! Two swings outside for anyone that wants a photo for the gram. My photo is in there too! Max 3 toppings - ice cream melts fast on the cone. If you want more than one flavor, get the cup. Plenty of parking, one bathroom stall available- check the door on the left of cash wrap. Enjoy the gelato! Coffee available as well! read more

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I happened to be in the area and noticed this place was open, so of course I could not pass up the chance to try it out. Fortunately, there wasn't much of a line, but I could see where this place would get very busy given that each dessert is hand-crafted. I opted for the pre-set Strawberry Shortcake gelato with a strawberry ice cream base topped with freeze dried fruit, shortcake pieces, and whipped cream. It was certainly delicious and enjoyable, but a medium rang up at just over $8, which I find a bit steep for ice cream (this is a special place and it is located in Uptown Park, so the price point isn't too surprising). But, it was a great experience and I would come back to try some other flavors or their other desserts on offer. Great ambiance - very colorful, and as some other reviewers point out, Wonka-esque. Definitely a place where you can let your inner child out to splurge. There are a few tables inside and a good number of tables on the patio for you to sit and enjoy your treats. read more

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My friend and I were looking for an ice cream place to take her kid after being out in the heat. A quick Google search brought us here and we were glad it did. I wasn't planning on getting anything but the ice cream filled pastry was hard to deny and let me tell you - no regrets!! It was so good. They toast it so it's warm on the outside and cold on the inside. You get to add a few toppings to the ice cream as well. They don't have a lot of ice cream options and the service was a little awkward and cold. I would've liked to have more personable service with a warm welcome. They felt very task-oriented like what do you want. They have cool swings outside that's totally IG worthy. Overall, it's a cute place and I recommend and would go back for that yummy treat. read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

High end gelato store in the uptown park area. The gelato was very high quality, smooth and creamy. Can pick an unlimited number of toppings too, loved the caramelized apples and brownie bites! Only downside is that the gelato is quite pricey, the small size is $7 and the cup is small so it's hard to fit a lot of toppings. It's not self serve either, wish there were more toppings. read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

Been there on a couple of occasions. The decor is beautiful, but sometimes, napkins or other necessities aren't supplied. I tried almost all their flavors and enjoyed them all. I thought the price point was quite high for the portion. The waffle with gelato was ok...I felt the carb to ice cream ratio was too high. The 2nd time, I got a cone, and that was better. Their toppings are innovative. Overall, it was a nice experience, but I think there are other options in town that I would more readily frequent. read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

The mango passion fruit gelato sorbet was delicious. The toppings were carefully placed for aesthetic appeal. Two toppings I tried stood out - the shortbread was tender and buttery and the freeze dried raspberries are the stuff my dessert dreams are made of! We will definitely return! read more

Brandon was so precise with adding these toppings. Also, my date was very impressed with this place. read more

Rocambolesc - St. Valentine's special + Vanilla & Plain Yogurt - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

We enjoyed our visit and the cool atmosphere. As for the ice cream itself, it wasn't the first texture I would expect for gelato but more like soft-serve frozen yogurt. But it was a cool atmosphere and the flavors were good and the ice cream dense. Not disappointed in the least. read more

Rocambolesc - Medium Yogurt flavor with custom toppings: raspberries, slivered almonds, and lychee pearls - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

The gelato was very creamy and great. The service was excellent. Enjoyed the outside seating experience.

I have visited Rocambolesc more than a half dozen times in the past couple of years and remain a huge fan. On my first visit, I was drawn in by the whimsical decor and explanation of the shop's social mission, which is in part to provide opportunities for people with neurological differences. My heart would give them my business just for the mission, but my sweet tooth and palate had to taste. The dairy-free options are not overwhelming, which is actually helpful. I like that I can change up the toppings for flavor variety. My loved ones were absolutely delighted by all of the options as they can eat dairy and wheat. The biggest hits were the scrumptious waffle gelato sandwich dessert and the chocolate bar with the cacao nibs. I like that none of the portions are too large or overly sweet. The focus seems to be on quality over hype, and that is refreshing. Even the beautiful little napkins have a nice texture. I have visited all of the major and specialty gelato and ice cream shops in Houston, and Rocambolesc has the best toppings selection in town. Selecting toppings is my favorite part because the employees carefully place each topping piece on my tiny mountain of gelato as if crafting a work of art. I stick with the dairy-free gelato options and switch up toppings on each visit. I find that it is like having a beloved suit or dress you wear often with different accessories. Different and delightful each time! I like that they have begun to offer more takeaway options like single-serving gelato in new flavors. The hilariously artistic popsicles show the owners have a sense of humor, too. My loved ones and I have always enjoyed the quality of the service. The employees have always been sweet, and we enjoy visiting. The shop is clean and cheery enough to lift your spirits as you make your purchase. The patio is just as pleasant and great for enjoying a conversation or people watching. There is a lovely fountain and plaza-like area around the patio that makes you feel you could sit and daydream or laugh for hours. In summary, Rocambolesc is a wonderful dessert and gelato stop worth your time and money. Enjoy! read more

Rocambolesc is the perfect place for decadent soft serve. After trying any samples if you like, you pick a soft serve, and then it comes with three toppings. I picked the chocolate soft serve (very rich and creamy flavor) and a variety of chocolate toppings and thought it was delicious, and it was pretty too! read more

Great gelato and snack place. Such a cute place To take the kids for a treat. We enjoyed the yogurt and want to try the smoothies and shakes next time. read more

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We enjoyed some soft serve gelato after dinner. I went with the milk chocolate which was very rich but not overbearing. I really liked the variety of toppings available. However, there isn't too much that it's overwhelming. The pricing was a little higher than I would've expected but it's not enough to keep me from coming back. Also, get bigger spoons please! read more

Rocambolesc - Milk Chocolate with Butter Cookie, Coconut Shavings and Almonds - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had high hopes for this place since Michelin star chef and all. We ordered the large with strawberry, coco and violet, and apple pie. The toppings were som freeze dried strawberries, cinnamon cookie crumble, and some marshmallow. The apple pie flavor is so sweet I couldn't eat more than a couple bites. The coco and violet lacked flavor. The strawberry hibiscus was the shining star in this whole bowl. I wish I knew that you could sample the flavors, so definitely try before you buy. The cashier was nice and helpful in informing us that you could get as many flavors you want in the cup size. The inside is so colorful and reminds me of Willy wonka. It is quiet and tucked into a strip of other restaurants. read more

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Could customer service be better? Yes! However it's very obviously new and they are working out the kinks. I hope this place stays around for awhile because the gelato is absolutely amazing. I've been here twice and the strawberry hibiscus is my go to! It's so creamy, fruity, and delicious! You get three toppings included with the price. For me the price is comparable to any ice cream place. Also you can taste the quality in there ingredients. The chocolate that topped my gelato wasn't the cheap stuff. It has the texture of higher quality chocolate. The ambience is so fun! I especially can't wait for the summer time! It's the perfect spot to grab a cool treat and eat outside on their patio. read more

Rocambolesc - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

Yummm! Delicious velvety gelatos! First of all, the place is so cute! It has a candy shop feel and it's seriously a sweet lover's dream! My fiancé and I tried the chocolate and vanilla gelatos each with 3 toppings (butter cookie, cocoa nibs, and almonds). We highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a sweet treat! read more

Rocambolesc - Chocolate gelato with butter cookie, almonds, and caramel nibs - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Tried their new flavor, peanut butter gelato, it is very rich and fluffy, peanut butter lovers will definitely appreciate it. You get three toppings of your choice with your gelato, I recommend trying their violent marshmallow, it's very unique and interesting. Gelato itself is okay tasting, it's not cold, somewhat lukewarm; it's very soft and fluffy, I almost feel like I'm eating whipped cream. It's definitely aesthetically pleasing and Insgram worthy. read more

Rocambolesc - Peanut butter gelato, topped with butter cookies, pretzel and violet marshmallows - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Houston, Texas

We decided to test this place out despite the negative reviews. My first disappointment was due to the prices - $10 for a large cup of gelato. The worker told us that toppings were included, so we paid then made our way to the toppings bar. After we selected our second topping, the employee said "ok is that it?" My first thought was, "Ummm no...we paid $10 for this gelato and toppings are allegedly included. I would like more than 3 strawberry slices and 5 popping boba." We politely said that we would like a few more toppings to which the employee replied "Well just to let you know, the toppings can only cover the top of the gelato." ...We were confused by this comment since there isn't another place that you could put toppings- they go on top of the gelato. We said ok then asked if we could add some crushed nuts. He started sprinkling them over the gelato then said, "ok this will be your last topping." ...WHAT! Are we children? Telling grown adults that will be their last topping? How humiliating. We didn't say anything as I'm sure this employee is just following rules that their boss has set, but it was incredibly frustrating and in poor taste. Tricking people into paying an exorbitant price by saying that toppings are included then reneging on it after your credit card has been swiped. Not a good look. I would strongly suggest that the owner of this business take some courses on customer satisfaction. A great place to start would be by reading the book, "Give 'em the Pickle" by Bob Farrell. The gist of the book is that a business owner should first concentrate on serving customers with excellence, and the money will follow. The "pickle" refers to whatever a customer wants or needs to feel satisfied. In the case of a gelato shop, the "pickle" would be the toppings. The goal of managers and employees should be to deliver the pickle with a smile. The ability to deliver quality customer service is at the core of business success. I hope that the owner will take this advise to heart in order to improve their store and increase the satisfaction of the customers they serve. read more