Final answer:
Option 2 is the best approach for the salesperson to assist Dominique because it involves asking about her preferences and helping her to compare each coat's features, which enables a personalized and consultative shopping experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way for a salesperson to continue the conversation with Dominique, who is shopping for a new winter coat and has narrowed it down to 2 coats, would be to engage in a consultative approach. This approach can be encapsulated by Option 2: Ask Dominique about her preferences and help her compare the features of each coat. This allows the sales associate to understand Dominique's needs and provide tailored guidance that can assist her in making the most informed decision possible. By creating a dialogue, the salesperson can align the coat's features with Dominique's specific usage scenarios, style preferences, and any other relevant considerations.
Option 1, which suggests telling Dominique which coat to buy, may come off as pushy and does not respect the customer's autonomy in making a decision that suits her best. Option 3, leaving Dominique to make the decision on her own, could be perceived as a lack of interest or apathy toward customer service, while Option 4, convincing Dominique to buy both coats, could be seen as prioritizing the salesperson's benefit over the customer's needs, which can lead to a loss of trust.