Final answer:
StellaService's seal of approval is valuable to online retailers as it signals commitment to quality service, instills customer confidence, and stands as a compensation for imperfect information in non-physical retail environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
For an online retailer, displaying StellaService's seal of approval has significant value because it signals to potential customers that the retailer is committed to high-quality service. StellaService is an independent company that rates the customer service performance of online businesses, and their endorsement carries weight. Much like how a well-established grocery store with a strong reputation can command higher prices, an online retailer with StellaService's endorsement can instill customer confidence.
This is especially true for companies like L.L. Bean that predominantly conduct business through mail, telephone, or online sales, where customers cannot physically inspect products before purchase. In these situations, where imperfect information can deter purchases, seals of approval such as StellaService, along with money-back guarantees and a track record for quality, help compensate for the lack of tactile experience and build a trustworthy reputation necessary for repeat business and customer referrals.