The recession seems to be having a positive effect on customer service. That’s according to the latest national measure of customer satisfaction from the Institute of Customer Service.

Organisations are paying more attention to customers’ needs and trying harder to retain business by improving the quality of their service and the way they provide it.

The latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) reveals encouraging improvements in service delivery and performance across most sectors.

More than 25,000 people were asked about their personal experiences of service across the private, public and third sectors. Organisations were rated on factors that customers consider are most important; these include professionalism, quality and efficiency, problem solving, timeliness and being easy to do business with.

The benchmark for world-class customer satisfaction is an index score of 80 or above and 37 organisations and professions achieved this rating.

John Lewis topped the poll for service with a new record customer satisfaction score of 90. Other top performers include Waitrose, the Fire and Ambulance Service, Marks & Spencer, Mazda and the RAC.

“These results show organisations are trying hard to keep consumers satisfied,” says Jo Causon, chief executive, Institute of Customer Service.

“However we realise from the wide range of scores across the sectors that there is no room for complacency.”

The latest survey also asked customers for their opinions about which country offers the best service. The UK came out on top with 46%, comfortably ahead of the US with just 25.5% of the vote. Germany trailed in third place with 7.9%.

Download the executive summary for the full results: ICS UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI)