What I Learned Working in Retail For One Year
I took the plunge and made a TikTok. I know if I am going to be able to do anything as a creator that it is inevitable. Surprisingly, this list is what came to mind for my second reel. I’ll add more detail here, please enjoy!
It can be very physically demanding, take care of yourself.
It is impossible to be cheery and happy all day long
Difficult customers, you will never please everyone
Focus on your team
If the owners and managers suck, RUN!!! Your happiness and peace are way more important.
So, now let us flesh out our outline.
You have no idea until you’ve done it and your feet get very mad at you. Get good shoes. It’s hard when you work in fashion cuz you want to look cute, but both of the store managers developed plantar fasciitis. Your body will thank you later. Also, allow yourself time to rest when you are off work. It is good to always have water at the ready. As best you can avoid the tempting siren song of the energy drink. That can also end you in the hospital, well at least the Panera lemonade can, one of our employees learned that the hard way.
So next, this is I guess more of a tip for your mental health. It is impossible to be cheery and “on” all day. I learned that it was so needed that we communicated with each other. I got in the habit of asking employees to tell me when a task was getting too much for them. If you need to step off the sales floor or into a fitting room to stop from screaming or crying, do it. Just communicate. Any boss who isn’t cultivating that kind of environment has no idea how to survive retail! It is okay to be stressed or mad, its just important that you deal with it correctly and not let the environment get so negative for you that you have to bring it home with you or you dread going to work.
