I worked in retail for several years during and after college and I learned a lot of things. Some things you can't un-learn like how when I'm in a store I subconsciously start to straighten displays or fold clothing that has been unceremoniously dropped by a customer. If I decide I don't want an item I don't just drop it off on the nearest shelf, I return it to it's rightful place or give it to the cashier. I never really did that to start with but I was amazed at the lack of care most people take when they are in a store. I saw people drop things on the floor and leave it. I saw people open boxes, pull out the item, then leave it out of the box. I saw people unfold every single item in stack looking for their size, even though we specifically fold them to have the size visible. If you wouldn't walk into someones home and drop things on the floor don't do it anywhere. Just be a considerate person.
I vividly remember the last Holiday season I worked. It was Black Friday and I vowed no matter what it took I would never work another Holiday Season again. I had a new job by February and officially left retail in August, the day before tax free weekend. In my opinion tax free weekend is the second worst shopping time next to Winter Holidays. The store I worked for was small with a "boutique" feel so we didn't have a large staff even with seasonal help. For my last Holiday season I worked the morning shift the day before Thanksgiving and was scheduled to come into work at 4:00 pm to close on Black Friday. Things didn't quite work out that way. After my Wednesday shift I made the 2 hour drive back "home" to be with my family for the Holiday. Of all the employees I was the only one who had family out of town. At 2:00 am on Black Friday I got a call from my manager-an employee had quit and they needed me to cover her shift. Well I had done my own late night shopping and wasn't awake at 2:00 am to take the call, even if I left immediately it would take me 2 hours minimum to arrive. I ate breakfast with my family and started the two hour journey to the store, it was during that drive I decided this would be my last holiday season working retail. I don't blame the girl for quitting she had a good reason but it did make for an even more stressful shift on Black Friday.
How to survive Holiday shoppers:
1. Smile. I know it's not a real smile but it makes it harder for people to yell at you when you're smiling at them. Harder not impossible. It also really irritates them that you're smiling and sometimes you need the satisfaction of knowing that.
2. Mention your return policy no less than two times during every transaction. As soon as they hand you their items let them know they will need a gift receipt for any returns. They say they don't need a gift receipt? Print one anyway and just don't tell them. If they throw it out it's on them not you.
3. Just avoid a holiday greeting all together. It doesn't matter what you say someone will inevitable get offended or think you are being discriminatory. A simple welcome will do, most people ignore you anyway.
4. Clean constantly. In a store like ours it could go from pristine to a train wreck in five minutes flat. If you're not being yelled at by a customer or quizzed on the next fashion trend find something to clean. I don't mean bring out the dust pan and broom and try to sweep around customers feet but refold that table of clothes for the 87th time or de-tangle the jewelry bar that has turned 20 necklaces into one jumbled ball. It won't eliminate all the chaos but it wil make closing the store 10x easier.
5. Keep food in the break room. One great thing about our store is that during holidays we had a pot-luck type deal in the back, All the employees would bring food to share and we could sneak back there to grab quick bites. Full breaks weren't always guaranteed on Black Friday and even if you did get your whole break without a crises interrupting it chances are you wouldn't have time to wait in line for food somewhere. So keep lots of options in the back room.
6. As for getting your own holiday shopping done, do it before or after your shift. Trust me you do not want to make a trip to the mall or shopping center on your day off.
I think everyone should work in retail at least once in their life. It builds character and makes you a better customer in the future. But not everyone is cut out to make retail a career. If you're a former retail worker try to share a smile or a kind word with you sales associates this holiday season. Remember what it was like and try to give them a bright moment in their day. So for all you retail workers out there this holiday season, hang in there I'm rooting for you.
