A Day in the Life of a Fashion Retailer
A fashion retailer leads a fast paced, interesting, and highly visual existence. Surrounded by beautiful garments and accessories, they spend much of their day talking with consumers about trend issues.
Fashion retailers have a strongly sales based role and need excellent communication and presentation skills. Many people move from this role to careers in fashion design or fashion buying.
Fashion retailers can start their day late, especially if they work in a large outlet or department store. Many retailers work part-time or on casual basis, and this enables them to cultivate other pursuits, such as education or another full-time or part-time job. Fashion retailers working in large cities have the opportunity to advance their fashion knowledge, even outside work hours, by observing the general population.
Fashion retailers given the early shift are responsible for opening the till and organizing the cash register, ready for use. The stock area is then checked to make sure everything is in its appointed place and displayed attractively.
Floor meetings with managers and staff are a common occurrence, where difficulties, resolutions, and new procedures to be implemented are discussed.
The main duty of the fashion retailer is to assist customers. When a customer comes into the store, the fashion retailer approaches him or her to ask if the customer needs assistance.
Some customers will want to browse without a retailer accompanying them, so the retailer must keep an eye on the customer from a distance without infringing on their wishes. Once the customer has picked up items for trying on, the retailer may then again approach and ask the customer if he or she may take the items to a change room.
Other customers like to receive input from the fashion retailer or may be looking for a specific item and do not wish to explore the entire store to see if it is available. In these cases, the fashion retailer makes suggestions and leads the customers to possible products. The fashion retailer must be attuned to the customer’s description and avoid showing the patron unsuitable items.
The fashion retailer is often asked for an opinion when customers try on garments or accessories. The fashion retailer should always be honest in their opinion. Telling a customer something suits her when it does not could lead to loss of future sales. Using his or her fashion knowledge, the fashion retailer suggests sizes and styles that flatter the customer’s shape.
Some customers prefer to try on garments in the change rooms and form an opinion on their own. In this case, the fashion retailer merely asks if there is anything the patron requires and brings different sizes or colors if requested.
In between customers, the fashion retailer walks the floor and tidies up displays or refolds garments disarranged by customers. Throughout the day, the fashion retailer ensures the department’s ambience is as fresh as when the store opened.
When a customer decides to make a purchase, the fashion retailer takes him or her to the cash register. The garments are carefully folded and, if it is the store policy, wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with the store’s logo.
Fashion retailers may receive commission for sales. Sales are tracked by the fashion retailer’s code entered in the cash register. Store policy may dictate that the fashion retailer ringing in a purchase ask the customer if they were assisted by a particular retailer so the retailer may be credited with the sale.
Fashion retailers may ask if the garment is for a special occasion and chat with the customer while ringing in the purchase. These small touches are remembered by patrons and make possible further sales in the future.
One of the benefits of a fashion retailer is a substantial store discount. This enables the retailer to dress exquisitely and showcase the store’s product. A fashion retailer ensures they arrive at work well presented. Some stores may have a clothing protocol.
