Uniforms Create Positive 'Halos' for Workers

    WILMINGTON, Mass., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Studies show that
 consumers view employees who wear uniforms as being more professional,
 organized and reliable than their non-uniformed counterparts -- and that
 they regard companies with uniform programs as having workers who are
 properly trained to do the job right. These positive impressions mean
 uniforms ultimately have the ability to make a tangible impact on a
 company's bottom line.
     The attributes consumers associate with uniforms were underscored in a
 study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates(R) for the Uniform and Textile
 Service Association, titled "The Customer Perceptions of Uniforms in the
 Workplace." The study definitively showed consumers overwhelmingly prefer
 to do business with companies whose employees wear uniforms.
     "Generally speaking, it's about business image," explains Robert
 Isaacson, Marketing Director at UniFirst Corporation, a leading provider of
 uniforms and work clothing throughout the United States and Canada. "And
 standing in the forefront of every company's image are its employees and
 how they're attired. If appropriately uniformed-with consistent-looking
 quality garments featuring identifiable color schemes, company logos, and
 any other customization- customers typically view employees as able to do a
 more professional job and as taking greater pride in their work.
 Conversely, if employees appear to pay scant attention to their appearance,
 customers can begin to have doubts about the quality of products or
 services being offered."
     "The perceived link between employee uniforms and positive public
 impressions is what social scientists refer to as the 'halo effect',"
 Isaacson says. "It's similar to the association people make when they
 interpret someone as being smarter because he or she wears eyeglasses or
 someone as having more redeemable qualities because of physical
 attractiveness."
     What the "halo effect" ultimately translates into is a competitive edge
 for companies, Isaacson says. "By outfitting their employees in image-
 enhancing uniforms, companies differentiate themselves and are more able to
 attract the consumer's attention. It's no wonder that the ever growing
 numbers of companies with managed uniform programs seem to have an 'aura of
 success' about them, while their bottom lines are improved by having a
 reputable provider manage their uniform programs."
     UniFirst provides a range of uniforms, products, and services to nearly
 200,000 business customers each week. More than a million employees are in
 UniFirst work clothes every business day. For more information, call them
 at 800-225-3364 or visit http://www.unifirst.com.
 
 

SOURCE UniFirst Corporation