Cary Brandes’ Post

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

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!

A retail management career is a great way to gain valuable business experience, work with customers, and hone your communication and problem-solving skills. Here are five things you need to know: https://lnkd.in/g7kbBKET

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!

⭐ There is nothing wrong with pushing the Reset Button and sharing how you are feeling with your Retail Teams. It is not a sign of Weakness but a Sign of Strength ⭐. – Cary Brandes Original Blog: https://lnkd.in/e62hizRH 👊 It takes guts to hit the reset button and express your emotions to your Retail Staff; doing so requires a lot of courage. Do you have what it takes? Did I peak your interest? What do you do when you face this opportunity? And as always, Have a PHENOMENAL 🤩 Day. 💪 Oh, and if you're curious about me and what I do, check out my portfolio: 🤓 https://lnkd.in/eHQQFtyy

I like to use Costa Coffee in between meetings to do my actions and catch up on emails. I'm sure many of us do. This morning I was working away and at the table next to me a store manager and their boss were undertaking a performance review. I was ear wigging a little (probably a lot TBF) to their discussion. The challenge for the store manager was staff performance. That's a broad subject but in particular it was them taking responsibility for the day to day tasks without them having to be reminded. The manager was concerned because many of these related to store cleanliness and tidiness. The staff had been reminded of these a number of times but still needed to be told. This store manager is not alone with this challenge. It's probably the most frustrating thing for people in a management role that I speak to anyway. The solution is not easy but can be achieved. In previous posts, I've spoken about asking different questions to get different responses. Don't worry, I'm not going to re-hash that here. In this case it's about how you remind people. I'll give you an example of what I mean. A few years ago, I helped out a client of mine who's sales director had left at short notice. This was always going to be temporary and I was helping him recruit a replacement. In week one, we did some re-directing in relation to targets and activity. I asked for reports to be with me by Friday at 2pm. Everyone agreed. Friday at 2pm, passed with only a few reports making the deadline. At 2.15, I wandered out onto the sales floor and said, "Is there something I should be expecting that I've not had yet?" The response was almost immediate. I had all the reports. The following Friday, I walked out onto the sales floor at 1.45pm. I asked them, "what am I expecting at 2pm?" The response I got was "yes Grant, we're on with it." I never had to remind them again. Sometimes, you just need to change your behaviour and approach to get them to change theirs. It might just help the Costa store manager to address his challenge.

Having done many store visits with your team back in the day, I can attest to the efficiency of reviewing things in person. There are conditions to discover that you can't anticipate on paper, context gained from seeing how things work as a system, and invaluable feedback to be had from the store-level associates responsible for execution. No matter how far technology advances, there's no replacing stepping across the threshold into live stores.

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

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

As an Assistant Manager in the vibrant world of retail, specifically in the dynamic realm of clothing and shoes, my role is more than just facilitating transactions. It's about crafting extraordinary experiences for our cherished clients. Every interaction is an opportunity to foster trust and empower our customers to make informed decisions. Beyond merely making a sale, we embark on a journey with our clients, understanding their needs, aspirations, and unique preferences. From ensuring security to considering their level of expertise, expectations, and even dreams, we guide them towards the perfect choice. Picture this: a customer walks in, unsure of what they're looking for but brimming with excitement for their upcoming adventures. It's in these moments that we shine as assistants. We're not just recommending products; we're curating experiences tailored to their lifestyle, whether it's gearing up for travel, trekking, trails, or other exploratory pursuits. Our goal isn't just to sell; it's to inspire confidence and facilitate memorable journeys. We're the bridge between our clients and their aspirations, providing not just products, but the expertise and assurance they need to embark on their next adventure with confidence. So, to all our wonderful clients out there, rest assured that when you walk through our doors, you're not just entering a store; you're stepping into a world of possibilities, where every purchase is an investment in your dreams. As your trusted assistant managers, we're here to ensure that your journey is not just amazing, but truly unforgettable.