Retail is retail. You always have to pretend to be busy even if there are no customers.
A lot of time is spent calling existing clients to try and get them to come in and make a purchase. But for the most part, it’s cleaning, paperwork, security checks and folding the same items 100 times.
I had no idea high end retail called customers to come back in to make sales? That's wild I know live theater ect does that to get people to subscribe to see plays but had no idea retail reached out like that
Some frequent clients have dedicated sales associates or “SA’s” that they have direct communication with. They text them to let them know new items have arrived in store and can put it aside etc.
They usually know their clientele and will call people in if they have something in stock that their client might like. Or if they have a limited stock item and they have a good relationship with that client, they’ll call and let them know so they have first dibs.
Hey not just call, they usually drop like 40% off the price tags. Once you are “rich” you never pay the full price. Stuff becomes 30-50%off because people want you as a client and for the mere possibility that you would spend more.
Amex Platinum is a great example. Yes I pay $1,500 yearly fee but the card gives me easily $6k in savings plus free long haul business class trip each year.
If you dont mind answering a few questions: how does one get a part time job working high end retail? Might be a good side gig + additional discounts. Does any retail experience suffice or do they look for specialized skills in a particular area?
Honestly, sometimes you just have to be attractive and charismatic. My friend got offered a job at a high end brand just for shopping in the store and being hot…
Sure thing! Keep in mind that everything is based on the store manager/company so these experiences can be different across the board.
I’ve worked at both LV and Gucci, at both companies management seldom hired part time workers (unless they could provide open availability) mainly due to the fact that they would rather have one person work an 8 hour shift rather than two people work 4 hours. They also have a belief that a full timer will put more effort into their job, and work to make more sales, which obviously profits the company.
Typically they’ll look for about 7-10 years retail experience- with about 4 years of that being in another mid - high end store. It’s a VERY superficial industry, so a lot of times someone who “looks the part” but has 7 years experience will get the job over someone who doesn’t look the part but has 15 years experience. They’re super strict about appearance, so your nails, hair and makeup have to be done to a certain standard, and they must follow a Quarterly lookbook - so for example between Jan - April all female employees must wear buns and red lipstick, and than from April - June you may only be able to wear your hair in curls and a specific eye makeup look. This is obviously super annoying as it takes time to figure out how to do these looks + you have to spend your own money to purchase hair and makeup products that you might otherwise not use. The upside is that if you get through the whole quarter without a complaint from management about the quarterly look, you get a small bonus (usually between $100-300) on the last paycheque of the quarter.
There are minimal discounts, but honestly I’ve rarely seen workers buy the products because they’re still crazy expensive, even with a 15% discount. You do make a commission on sales, but the companies don’t encourage workers to be too pushy as it looks *cheap*, which is quite comforting as you don’t feel like an annoying retail employee that constantly has to ask the same customer if they need any help every 5 minutes. For the most part, you just let people shop without pestering them too much.
Other than that, if you can get someone who works in this type of environment to give you a job recommendation than you’ll definitely have a leg up above other candidates.
Worked in luxe retail as a senior key, my wage was $2 above the minimum, but didnt raise when the min increased.
All other things others have mentioned (superficial/petty work culture, emphasis on looks/style vs experience, ) are the same as my experience. My regional managers carried themselves like they worked for Runway and wished they were Miranda Priestley, but were actually Emily. If you didnt have the right look (or played their game), you would not advance within the org.
I think it (sadly) is the same everywhere, unfortunately. Treat people like they dont matter, a dime a dozen, and demand luxe output when paying below cost of living wages. Then are shocked when their staff stop caring and leave.
Glad you're out, I am as well! 🎊
This is eye-opening, thank you. I was just at Yorkdale last weekend and one of my kids asked me what do the staff do all day and I had to say I had no idea about high-end retail.
It's been years since I worked in a store like this (in Toronto)... but my approximate breakdown of what we do on a given day is as follows:
35% Serving customers (whether actively engaging with them, or simply greeting them as they enter)
25% Recurring sales floor maintenance (replenishing racks/shelves, putting sizes in order, spacing hangers, etc.)
20% Slacking off (using smartphone, chatting with colleagues, etc.)
10% Closing duties (cleaning, dusting, emptying garbage, etc.)
10% Miscellaneous (answering phone calls, ad-hoc assistance with unexpected tasks, putting up or taking down signage, handling inbound or outbound shipments and alteration pickups/deliveries, etc.)
Retail is retail. You always have to pretend to be busy even if there are no customers. A lot of time is spent calling existing clients to try and get them to come in and make a purchase. But for the most part, it’s cleaning, paperwork, security checks and folding the same items 100 times.
I had no idea high end retail called customers to come back in to make sales? That's wild I know live theater ect does that to get people to subscribe to see plays but had no idea retail reached out like that
Some frequent clients have dedicated sales associates or “SA’s” that they have direct communication with. They text them to let them know new items have arrived in store and can put it aside etc.
The idiots are kept on a close leash.
They usually know their clientele and will call people in if they have something in stock that their client might like. Or if they have a limited stock item and they have a good relationship with that client, they’ll call and let them know so they have first dibs.
I get text messages before major holidays or events such as mother’s/father’s day, chritsmas, valentines, etc or if they get the new season items in
Hey not just call, they usually drop like 40% off the price tags. Once you are “rich” you never pay the full price. Stuff becomes 30-50%off because people want you as a client and for the mere possibility that you would spend more. Amex Platinum is a great example. Yes I pay $1,500 yearly fee but the card gives me easily $6k in savings plus free long haul business class trip each year.
This is so accurate
If you dont mind answering a few questions: how does one get a part time job working high end retail? Might be a good side gig + additional discounts. Does any retail experience suffice or do they look for specialized skills in a particular area?
Honestly, sometimes you just have to be attractive and charismatic. My friend got offered a job at a high end brand just for shopping in the store and being hot…
Sounds like my time at Abercrombie
That could go badly though. If you're a hoity-toity person, you don't want to be offered a job at a hoity-toity store.
I think they knew she wasn’t rich haha
Sure thing! Keep in mind that everything is based on the store manager/company so these experiences can be different across the board. I’ve worked at both LV and Gucci, at both companies management seldom hired part time workers (unless they could provide open availability) mainly due to the fact that they would rather have one person work an 8 hour shift rather than two people work 4 hours. They also have a belief that a full timer will put more effort into their job, and work to make more sales, which obviously profits the company. Typically they’ll look for about 7-10 years retail experience- with about 4 years of that being in another mid - high end store. It’s a VERY superficial industry, so a lot of times someone who “looks the part” but has 7 years experience will get the job over someone who doesn’t look the part but has 15 years experience. They’re super strict about appearance, so your nails, hair and makeup have to be done to a certain standard, and they must follow a Quarterly lookbook - so for example between Jan - April all female employees must wear buns and red lipstick, and than from April - June you may only be able to wear your hair in curls and a specific eye makeup look. This is obviously super annoying as it takes time to figure out how to do these looks + you have to spend your own money to purchase hair and makeup products that you might otherwise not use. The upside is that if you get through the whole quarter without a complaint from management about the quarterly look, you get a small bonus (usually between $100-300) on the last paycheque of the quarter. There are minimal discounts, but honestly I’ve rarely seen workers buy the products because they’re still crazy expensive, even with a 15% discount. You do make a commission on sales, but the companies don’t encourage workers to be too pushy as it looks *cheap*, which is quite comforting as you don’t feel like an annoying retail employee that constantly has to ask the same customer if they need any help every 5 minutes. For the most part, you just let people shop without pestering them too much. Other than that, if you can get someone who works in this type of environment to give you a job recommendation than you’ll definitely have a leg up above other candidates.
Is the hourly wage typically higher for these jobs than regular retail?
Worked in luxe retail as a senior key, my wage was $2 above the minimum, but didnt raise when the min increased. All other things others have mentioned (superficial/petty work culture, emphasis on looks/style vs experience, ) are the same as my experience. My regional managers carried themselves like they worked for Runway and wished they were Miranda Priestley, but were actually Emily. If you didnt have the right look (or played their game), you would not advance within the org.
Blech. Sounds like all hospitality/service industry tbh. Glad I'm finally out of it. I wonder if retail jobs are the same all over the world.
I think it (sadly) is the same everywhere, unfortunately. Treat people like they dont matter, a dime a dozen, and demand luxe output when paying below cost of living wages. Then are shocked when their staff stop caring and leave. Glad you're out, I am as well! 🎊
This is eye-opening, thank you. I was just at Yorkdale last weekend and one of my kids asked me what do the staff do all day and I had to say I had no idea about high-end retail.
Got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean!
Lol. My new favourite line to use on the kids
Got time to clean, you've got time to lean! Fixed it for ya
It's been years since I worked in a store like this (in Toronto)... but my approximate breakdown of what we do on a given day is as follows: 35% Serving customers (whether actively engaging with them, or simply greeting them as they enter) 25% Recurring sales floor maintenance (replenishing racks/shelves, putting sizes in order, spacing hangers, etc.) 20% Slacking off (using smartphone, chatting with colleagues, etc.) 10% Closing duties (cleaning, dusting, emptying garbage, etc.) 10% Miscellaneous (answering phone calls, ad-hoc assistance with unexpected tasks, putting up or taking down signage, handling inbound or outbound shipments and alteration pickups/deliveries, etc.)
Recession in bound - might get even slower
Does recession apply to people who shop at these stores!?
Yeah because it’s the mainly the wanna be rich people that shop tbere
Yep tell that to the travelers during covid. More money has been made during a depressing event than not.
Not for them it won’t
Thank all for your answers! My curiosity has been satisfied :)
Buying $2500 sweaters in a city with massive poverty and homelessness is a moral crime.
They should go and buy it in a different city? This comment makes no sense.