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Thursday, August 4, 2016

Interview!

Dear Readers,



Today I interviewed my manager to ask him what he considered retail problems. I did this to get a better perspective but also because he has more experience. The interview went like this:

Me: Hi Lucas (my manager), thank you for agreeing to my interview
Lucas: no problem Janelle


Me: okay so what would you say is the worst retail problem you have dealt with during your time in retail?
Lucas: First I would say angry customers. That's always the worst. Especially as a manager you are being closely observed and you have to handle the situation with professionalism in order to set an example.




Me: can you describe a specific situation , if that is okay?
Lucas: Sure. It was my first week as manager and I had a very angry woman attempting to return a bag which of course she had lost the receipt for. It is our policy you must provide a receipt in order to return merchandise but she insisted to speak with the manager. I was already warned by my associate that she was angry and so I was not surprised that she yelled at me to return the bag. It was like I was her servant she was ordering me to do this. Sure I could've gotten upset and asserted myself but I tried to find a solution instead. Luckily she had bought the bag with a credit card and so we were able to find the transaction in the system. After helping her of course she apologized for her behavior and I insisted it was no problem.




Me: wow I'm not sure I could've handled it so well.
Lucas: The key is not to make it personal. You have to take a step back and take your feelings out of the equation.
Me:  That is pretty good . what is the best advice you would give to other retailers?
Lucas: other than that I would say just take it one day at a time and always try to stay positive.


Me: okay well thank you for agreeing to my interview and helping to share some knowledge with my readers.
Lucas: anytime

Appearance vs. Reality

Dear Readers,





Have you ever gone into a store and really glanced at the appearance of the store ? When I say this I mean looked beyond the merchandise to see if the store is clean or messy? I feel like after working in retail I developed somewhat of a sixth sense. I don't just look at the clothes on the rack. Now when I enter a store I look at the clothes on the floor and the clothes off the hangers.



This brings a mixture of emotions. Sometimes I feel bad for the employees especially if it's really messy. I wonder to myself if people know the employees have to fix that entire mess before going home. On other occasions I find myself subconsciously fixing clothes back on the hangers until I snap back to life and remind myself that I don't work there.


To my fellow retail employees, I'm not sure if you too have developed this sense. But I must apologize for the oblivious customer I was before. Now I do not go into a store with any intention of messing it up. I am more conscious of how I shop meaning I clean up after myself. If I drop a shirt I pick it up.

I feel like this should be a rule or something. Not to be too drastic, but i mean that all shoppers should become more conscious of how they shop. It is completely unnecessary to shop and leave a mess especially after a busy day. If people more aware of the mess they leave , then it would be a much better shopping experience for all.

Time Management

Random post:

Dear Readers,




Normally I focus on retail problems hence the title of the blog but today I decided to look at a different type of problem , time management. This is something we all experience and some still have yet to master. For some reason time always seems to run out and as a procrastinator you may tend to put things off and find yourself out of time.


It is hard enough to learn how to manage your time but imagine having to work while trying to master this art. Work is a set time and so it is up to you to use the time outside of work wisely. Especially if you also have to go to school. Now the load is twice as hard. On top of trying to manage your time you have to work, and go to school at set times plus find the time to do homework and stay on top of studying. It sounds like a lot and most definitely is.




I am aware of this first hand. I worked retail late nights and went to school during the day while trying to find the time to study and do homework. Sure I understand there are people who are doing way more and still manage their time better, but don't dismiss the fact that working and going to school is hard.