Anna Plotnikova’s Post

I'm excited to share my productive day at work, where I contributed to boosting our sales and enhancing customer experience. Working as a team, we collaborated to develop strategies and promotions aimed at the growth of our store. Additionally, I'm dedicated to my professional development, undergoing training to take on the role of a shift manager. I'm committed to giving my best to ensure our store continues to thrive. #Teamwork #ProfessionalDevelopment #BusinessGrowth"

Here are 5 tips for retail front staff to prepare for their future: 1. *Develop Strong Communication Skills* Effective communication is key to success in retail. Focus on: - Active listening - Clear and concise speaking - Conflict resolution - Adaptability in communication style 2. *Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends and Knowledge* Invest in your product knowledge and stay informed about: - Latest fashion trends - New product launches - Brand stories and values - Emerging technologies in retail 3. *Focus on Customer Experience and Relationship Building* Deliver exceptional customer experiences by: - Being empathetic and understanding - Offering personalized recommendations - Providing timely and effective solutions - Building strong relationships with regular customers 4. *Develop Essential Skills for Career Growth* Acquire skills that are valuable in retail and beyond, such as: - Time management and organization - Leadership and teamwork - Problem-solving and adaptability - Basic technical skills, like operating a POS system 5. *Set Career Goals and Seek Opportunities for Growth* Define your career aspirations and: - Set specific, measurable, and achievable goals - Seek feedback and mentorship from supervisors or industry experts - Look for opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities - Consider pursuing certifications or further education to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Thinking back to the beginning of my retail management career, I vividly remember how I cringed at hearing, "𝑵𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚" or "𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔." I couldn't accept that sales could be as unpredictable as the weather. 😅 At that time, due to a lack of retail trainers, the B2B trainers I invited couldn't adequately sharpen retail sales skills. Since sales prowess isn't something we're born with, my sales team's own experiences alone weren't enough. Clinging to the idea that training was the key to achieving stable revenue, I partnered with a friend who trained bankers. With my retail background, her training expertise, and several books on retail that I managed to get from the US in those pre-Amazon times, we crafted my first retail training program. My very first training was quite a contrast to my management activity: exercises, group dynamics, the psychology of it all. 😅 I didn't know back then that this would be the beginning of a new path in life that would lead to numerous courses in training, coaching, psychology, and many other topics related to the human factor. Recently, I trained staff at one of the 🇬🇧 oldest department stores. Here are my key takeaways: 🙏 Great respect for businesses that have stood the test of time like this place. I don't agree with the fixation on the disruption that drives us to look at companies with long histories as subjects to extinction rather than honour. 👉 They face the unique challenge of balancing loyal older customers' desire for familiarity with the need to cater to younger shoppers' radically different, tech-driven expectations. 💪 Human resources are their most powerful asset. Location matters, but highly skilled salespeople who can turn casual buyers into loyal store advocates are invaluable. ❤️ Even with Britain's reserved culture, shoppers crave genuine connection and expertise from salespeople. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀? #Fashion #FashionRetail #UKRetail #Innovation #LuxuryFashion

🎯 A Day in Retail: The Challenges Behind the Scenes Working in retail often comes with its fair share of challenges, but Tuesday’s shift truly tested my problem-solving, multitasking, and leadership skills. Here’s a glimpse into the reality of managing a busy store during the holiday rush: ✅ Preparation and Teamwork: I started my shift on time, but even before the day began, we faced obstacles—no shopping bags in stock and fewer registers open than we needed to handle the rush. Additionally, I forgot to stock extra receipt paper in the registers at the start of the shift, which led to delays during the busiest hours. Despite these hurdles, the team worked tirelessly to support each other and our customers. ⚡ Managing Peak Hours: By noon, the store was packed, and we had long lines. At one point, I stepped away for less than 10 minutes for a quick bathroom break and prayer, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. A frustrated customer yelled at me about my management skills, calling out my ability to lead. I calmly explained that I’d been working since 6:45 AM without a proper break and had only stepped away briefly. The customer later apologized, sharing that he was also dealing with a long workday. 🛠️ Technical Issues: During the rush, one register froze, and another ran out of receipt paper during a $300+ transaction. I retrieved a new roll and handed it to a colleague to install quickly, but a simple oversight caused the paper to jam, delaying the transaction further. I apologized to the customer and reassured them of our commitment to resolving their concerns. 💔 Supporting the Team: One of my teammates faced verbal abuse from a customer over locked carts. It was disheartening to see this happen, but I took the time to let them know how much their efforts were appreciated and reminded them not to let such incidents overshadow their contributions. 💡 Key Takeaways: 1. Proper preparation is critical—ensuring registers are stocked with supplies like receipt paper is a must. 2. More staffing and trained cashiers are essential during peak times to manage customer expectations. 3. Effective communication and teamwork can make a big difference, even in high-pressure situations. 4. Empathy goes a long way—with customers and team members alike. Retail is not just about sales; it’s about problem-solving, managing expectations, and showing resilience under pressure. I’m grateful for the lessons learned and for the incredible effort my team put in to keep things running smoothly. To my fellow retail professionals—how do you navigate the holiday rush? I’d love to hear your strategies for staying composed and productive in challenging moments. #RetailLeadership #CustomerService #Teamwork #HolidayRush

Retail is not for everyone… Even though it’s considered to be an easy start for those who lack experience or skills. Many of us started as a part-timers while finishing our studies before getting the “real job”. But somehow we got drawn into this never ending flow of customers, Black Fridays, promos and Super Sales, mad times with colleagues, crazy experiences with customers - whatever was it, but few of us actually stayed and chose to build a career in retail. And believe me that’s not an easy one! Put aside fun and jokes, it is only cover up for the pressure you’ll be dealing with on a daily basis. Customers are not always fun, in most cases you will be dealing with demanding, irritated, frustrated people and it’s your job to find a way to make them feel better. Because at the end of the day it’s not only about making sales, it’s “customer satisfaction” what actually makes them coming back to you. Aside from mastering people skills and being (or acting) friendly all day long you will still have to run the show. Those people who never worked in retail store might not realize that we are performing the same administrative tasks they do in offices, but we always have to do it on the go, without the luxury of having “own desk and comfy chair”. Preparing reports, analysing data, scheduling and planning, creating trainings, addressing IT and maintenance issues - those just a few things store managers are responsible for. And it has to be done quick before store gets busy. Being in retail for so many years has taught a lot about human nature, I aquired skills like multitasking, manpower utilization, planning, data analysis and so much more. Retail job if taken seriously could be an excellent school of life and potentially lucrative career path. But only if you can handle it 🤣 All I wanted to say retail is not for weak people. If you managed to survive and thrive for few years you already did something most people are not capable of. So don’t let anyone make you think that it’s not a “real job”. It is as real as you take it!

Retail is not for everyone… Even though it’s considered to be an easy start for those who lack experience or skills. Many of us started as a part-timers while finishing our studies before getting the “real job”. But somehow we got drawn into this never ending flow of customers, Black Fridays, promos and Super Sales, mad times with colleagues, crazy experiences with customers - whatever was it, but few of us actually stayed and chose to build a career in retail. And believe me that’s not an easy one! Put aside fun and jokes, it is only cover up for the pressure you’ll be dealing with on a daily basis. Customers are not always fun, in most cases you will be dealing with demanding, irritated, frustrated people and it’s your job to find a way to make them feel better. Because at the end of the day it’s not only about making sales, it’s “customer satisfaction” what actually makes them coming back to you. Aside from mastering people skills and being (or acting) friendly all day long you will still have to run the show. Those people who never worked in retail store might not realize that we are performing the same administrative tasks they do in offices, but we always have to do it on the go, without the luxury of having “own desk and comfy chair”. Preparing reports, analysing data, scheduling and planning, creating trainings, addressing IT and maintenance issues - those just a few things store managers are responsible for. And it has to be done quick before store gets busy. Being in retail for so many years has taught a lot about human nature, I aquired skills like multitasking, manpower utilization, planning, data analysis and so much more. Retail job if taken seriously could be an excellent school of life and potentially lucrative career path. But only if you can handle it. All I wanted to say retail is not for weak people. If you managed to survive and thrive for few years you already did something most people are not capable of. So don’t let anyone make you think that it’s not a “real job”. It is as real as you take it!

Being an effective store manager requires a blend of leadership, organization, and customer service skills. Here are ten tips to help you excel in this role: 1. Be Kind and Fair: Treat EVERYONE the way you’d want to be treated. A little kindness goes a long way in making your store a happy place to be. 2. Know Your Stuff: Learn all about what you’re selling. It’s like knowing your own kitchen – you should be able to find and explain anything in it. 3. Take Care of Your Customers: Make your customers feel SPECIAL, like they’re guests in your home. A warm smile and a helping hand never go out of style. 4. Help Your Team Grow: Teach and guide your employees patiently. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and your wisdom can help them flourish. 5. Keep Things Tidy: Just like keeping your house clean, a well-organized store makes everything easier to find and more pleasant to be in. 6. Nip Problems in the Bud: Handle issues quickly, whether it’s a leaky roof or a customer complaint. The sooner you address it, the less trouble it will cause. 7. Have Clear Goals: Set clear, achievable goals, like a good recipe. Everyone needs to know what they’re working toward. 8. Stay Up-to-Date: Keep an eye on what’s new and exciting in your field. Just like keeping up with the latest knitting patterns or recipes, staying informed keeps you ahead. 9. Create a Warm Atmosphere: Foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Celebrate the small victories and keep the mood positive. 10. Listen and Learn: Be open to feedback. Sometimes OTHERS see things you might miss, and it’s always good to learn and grow. Practice these ten tips daily to become an effective store manager.

Have you ever walked into a store and been greeted by a smile or a simple ‘hello’ that immediately lifted your mood?   It’s funny how such small gestures can transform the atmosphere of a shop. While the products are important, it’s really the people who make the experience memorable and what keeps the footfall consistent.   Today, I caught up with a client over Teams, who had recently interviewed three candidates I’d recommended for roles at their flagship store. Whilst each candidate had strong experience in luxury retail, it was their personalities that secured them their roles.   It made me realise just how important it is for staff to have a friendly, approachable attitude in-store. This really ties back to my last post—how far a positive, engaging attitude can take you in retail.   We’ve all been there…. Walking into a store, and staff are distracted or disengaged. Maybe they’re on their phones, or just not interacting. It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere, and it’s hard to ignore. Remember people buy from people and who they connect with. As we head into the Christmas period, when shops are busier than ever, a warm, welcoming attitude make such a difference. After all, a store isn’t just about the products on the shelves—it’s about how you make people feel when they walk through the door…. Have you ever bought something or not just because of the person serving you?    

Retail life is all about being able to adapt and connect with people. Every day is different, and it's always a chance to help someone, learn something new, and grow as a person. In retail, no two days are alike—no customer, no moment, no experience can be fully anticipated. Life throws curveballs at us, but they teach us to bounce back, put ourselves in others' shoes, and find a sweet spot between planning and going with the flow. The heart of retail isn’t simply about products or profits; it’s about being a part of people’s stories, one transaction at a time. It's all about making those short encounters really memorable. So, to everyone who wears the many hats of retail—keep striving, keep adapting, and remember that every day is a chance to make an impact, however small it may seem. #RetailLife #ConnectionMatters #EveryDayIsDifferent #PurposeInService

Are your customer facing staff trained in how to talk to people? Are they approachable and engaging? Do you know how much money it's costing you if they're not? Because I can tell you right now that retail stores are losing thousands each day because their staff don't have basic communication skills. Some people just have it, the charisma, the confidence and the energy that they exude naturally. Others, have to learn it. During my role in retail management one of my favourite approaches was making it a game. Spending the time shaking off whatever is going on for them outside of the workplace and getting into the zone, with a pump up at the start of each shift and a task for them to complete that wasn't sales focused and yet resulted in daily KPI's being blown out of the water. Want to find out what it is? Get in touch and I'll show you, then we can show your Management teams how to get the best out of their employees resulting in a happier, funner workplace, higher staff retentions rates and more money in your pocket.