Wetherspoons makes top 100 companies

Managed chain JD Wetherspoons has emerged as the only pubco to make it into a list revealing the UK's most customer friendly companies.

In a survey by research specialists Nunwood of 5,500 shoppers Wetherspoons came 11th in the list of the top 100 companies.

It is the only pubco to feature in a top 20 that features Waitrose (three), Asda (nine) Morrisons (15) and Sainbury's (17).

Online shop Amazon topped the list with internet banking company First Direct at number two.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: "We are delighted to be listed in 'Britain's Top 100 Firms'.

"It is even more rewarding that Wetherspoon is so high on the list and that it is the only pub company in the top 100.

"We have always maintained that quality service is key to the success of our individual pubs and the company overall, and the company's listing highlights that we are getting this right.

"Our staff are highly skilled and work hard to ensure that service is excellent."

The list was compiled with customers asked to score their best and worse customer experiences, with 100,000 companies being rated. Customers were also asked how much a brand met or exceeded their expectations and how enjoyable their shopping experience was.

Overall supermarkets topped the list, followed by eating out, retail and travel.

David Conway, strategy director at Nunwood, said: "Today's world is less about ploughing cash into advertising and more about delivering an experience which fits in with your customers' ideals.

"With big business spending increasingly more in this area, it's important for us all to recognise what defines the leaders."