Seventy-two percent of business owners agree that small businesses face more challenges today than they did five years ago, according to research conducted by Square. Hughes: You have to tell them that they cannot use their six-month-old coupon, and no, you cannot use my employee discount. For many of these systems to work effectively, a large amount of information has to be collected and stored. Liz Torres can be reached at liz.torres@monster.com. Despite the long hours and sometimes overwhelming customers, try to maintain a good attitude. Caroline Sullivan, too, is a sales associate at a specialty boutique and has worked at women's and children's clothing stores over the past three years. It also helps you become a better team player. You have to tell them that they cannot use their six-month-old coupon, and no, you cannot use my employee discount. Hinrichs: The holidays can be especially stressful. I feel comfortable talking to people, answering phone calls and even resolving problems in a professional setting because of my time in retail. However, after the initial challenge of opening a store, many company founders look toward the next big step. Begin with put backs, avoid customer interaction as long as possible. Challenges for students. But there's light at the end of the tunnel, really. The challenges of working in retail January 20, 2012 by Marty Lariviere When I teach my service operations elective, I inevitably spend time talking about managing front line service workers and the potential payoff from having a longer tenured workforce. With a huge sigh of relief, we can safely say that Joe Biden has won the election. Ariana Colozzo has worked more than three years at Marshalls and a year-and-a-half at an Eddie Bauer outlet. The benefits to working in retail vary as much as your daily routine. For example, offering a Twitter-based support mechanism during office hours only completely contradicts the immediate and near-real time nature of the platform. When you're selling what you love, your customer service skills stand out and you position yourself for advancement within a company. Oftentimes, as with everywhere else in life, if you start off unreliable, managers will notice and treat you like that going forward. A report from the United Nations International Labour Organization found that while employees are more productive when they work outside of the conventional office, they're also more vulnerable to working longer hours, a more intense work pace, work-home interference, and, in some cases, greater stress. Top challenges in the fashion retail industry: Growing consumerism: Nowadays, consumers have too many options from which they can choose any product that they like. Every industry has its own set of challenges, issues that impede growth and prevent organizations from reaching their potential. Recruiting and supervising staff 3. Entrepreneurs are often visionaries, which is great for creating a company. Hinrichs: People appreciate good experiences and may tell one or two people. Everyone has a bad day. Q: What's the policy on calling out of work? Inventory Levels and Assortment Adequate inventory levels are essential for today’s retailer. Coordination costs represent time and energy that group work consumes that individual work does not, including the time it takes to coordinate schedules, arrange meetings, meet, correspond, make decisions collectively, integrate the contributions of group members, etc. Working in retail forces interaction with co-workers and customers, both good and bad. Every role in every industry has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, rewards and challenges; the retail sector is no different, but some of its challenges are unique to its particular flavour of customer service. 'Tis the season for Jenny from the Block. And because retail recruitment is so unique, so are its challenges. Retailers need to create a single, unified commerce platform which eliminates individual channel silos and offers a holistic customer experience across all customer touch-points. It's worth it. In a global economy, the retail supply chain is affected by country-specific politics, trade and tariff law, international relationships, and quality control. It's important to line your values up with the company's mission and actually care about the product. Having everyone sing to the songs is most of the fun; it adds to the festivity of whatever you're doing. Q: What's the most positive part about working in retail? It takes patience, diligence, and depending on your shift, a lot of caffeine. Staff in this retail niche are now seen as essential frontline employees and should be treated and compensated as such. Sign up to get job alerts relevant to your skills and experience. Working in retail teaches you how to communicate effectively with your boss, co-workers and customers. Aerosoles. It's best to leave your personal problems at the door because the way you handle your day effects your co-workers and your customers. Building skilled and motivated sales and service teams 4. As headlines fill news feeds and stores seek ways to reinvent, reinvigorate, and refresh their way into consumers’ shopping lists, the retail landscape continues to shift and twist. The coronavirus pandemic is likely to change how and what consumers buy, forcing the retail industry to quickly innovate in a race that's likely to squeeze smaller brands. It's best to create a positive environment for everyone. Retail is one of the industries with the highest employee turnover rates. Giphy. They are skilled in four primary areas. It is important to understand what they are as well as how today’s retailer is working to overcome these challenges. And motivated employees are more productive — in fact, Warwick found that happy employees are 12% more productive. Also, the fact that the retail landscape is experiencing a massive shift in their working model due to the rapid emergence of e-commerce players such as Amazon. I love listening to Christmas music just as much as the next person, but when I turn on my local holiday radio station each year, it just feels repetitive. The challenges facing the retail industry are very real. Whether they’re buying tonight’s dinner or their next car, the end-to-end digital buying journey is no longer viewed as a luxury – or even innovative! Retaining staff is one of the toughest challenges in the industry. Sullivan: My favorite memory is after a working with a customer for an extended period of time, she was very appreciative and she even mentioned to my boss that I gave her excellent service. Within a few months I had moved up to a service desk associate and was learning the duties of a key holder. Q: I don't know how you stand all day! Retail definitely isn't worth the salary. Personally, I'm tired of the same "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Whatever you do for the holidays, enjoy your festive time and the season! Tran: Customers [can be] rude but know it's not your fault! “Challenges are opportunities in disguise.” You may have heard it already. What helps? Experiences like these are a lot easier when you're friends with everyone on the floor and you've had a solid dose of caffeine. Q: What advice do you have about delivering great customer service? But push on, the end of your shift is only six hours away. However, retail businesses still face serious challenges, including difficulty keeping pace with consumer demands and staying ahead of rivals in a fiercely competitive environment. Knowing several different jobs makes it easier to help customers and relate to co-workers/employees should you ever receive a promotion. The Challenges of Retail: Floor Work and Inventory. Top Retailing Problems & Challenges Today #1: Consumers are Choosing Multichannel Buying Experiences. With the holidays right around the corner, there are many things to look forward to. So plug in your Christmas tree, make some hot cocoa, and listen to these amazing (and updated) holiday songs. When you work for a store, or any company in general, you ultimately represent the brand. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. However, I have the strong opinion that having the songs on your Christmas playlist be popular is extremely important. 9. 16. Share with us in the comment section. Summarize the key challenges facing retailers; In today’s economy retailers are facing a unique set of challenges. Find your fit and browse retail jobs available in your area! Managing time 2. Copyright © 2020 Also hav[ing] a thick skin is important in anything related to customer service because you can't take things personally. Those challenges range from the rise of big retail players like Amazon to increasing costs for materials, rent, and product. So here's a quick, little reminder that I love my boyfriend very much! After the return of Patrick Dempsey's, Derek Shepherd, Grey's fans know that no one is off-limits. The key to retail, and any job, is finding the right fit. Syncing Inventory The discrepancy between what consumers want and what … Hollywood has a tendency to sensationalize mental illness, but these shows and movies got it right. According to Forrester Consulting, 94% of the 250 retail and manufacturing decision makers surveyed said that they faced significant barrier when initializing omni-channel capabilities. It's time to repair the fissures in our American society. List some challenges of working in the retail field It is important to understand the key challenges retailers face as well as how today’s retailer is working to overcome these challenges. Entry level positions in retail usually involve organizing inventory, helping customers find what they're looking for, and ringing up their purchases when they're ready to buy. Module 1: Introduction to Retailing. While local expertise is an invaluable asset, it’s also important to foster integration among teams to avoid colleagues from different countries working in … Alex Corrado is a marketing and sales coordinator with more than three years of past retail seasonal experience as a sales associate at Nordstrom. This is tough. Corrado: Don’t be afraid to ask your manager or co-workers for help — it’s a great way to learn, and learn quickly. Employers appreciate employees who do this. My first job was as a cashier and sales floor associate for Bob's Stores. Hinrichs: The most positive part of retail was that it forced me out of my shell and fostered people skills that have helped in every job I have had since. Meanwhile, replacing employees requires a lot of energy and costs. Search for: Challenges in Retailing. And you have to do it with a smile. This might explain why … There is a very fine line between representation for mentally ill people and demonizing them for the sake of entertainment. ​Q: If customers ask how clothes look on them, do you actually tell them the truth? Experiences like these are a lot easier when you're friends with everyone on the floor and you've had a solid dose of caffeine. Mahmoud: Keep a cool head when dealing with everyone no matter how they treat you. The solution to this challenge is to increase employee engagement within your company. Q: How do you deal with difficult customers during the holiday season (or in general)? Without clear direction and involvement from the company leader(s), a wholesale retail store can soon go off course. Needless to say, a career in retail can be tough work. Retail Management. It takes patience, diligence, and depending on your shift, a lot of caffeine. My first job in retail started as a high school job but it certainly has been valuable. She also did the follow-up survey, which is awesome to get feedback and makes the whole store look good! However, people will remember bad experiences and tell everyone who will listen. Thank you!You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon. At the risk of being dismissive of all the progress we've made, mental health representation is still seriously lacking. It's best to create a positive environment for everyone. Workforce Partnership develop new approaches to its work with retail employers and workers to support their resiliency in the face of a changing sector. Similarly, they expect delivery to their door and an aftersales service that’s ever-present and accessible from the palm of their hand. Responsibility And Professionalism. Staggering turnover rates, cut-throat competition (for acquiring local talent), and volatile needs (because of business seasonality) — which are just a few of the very many retail recruitment challenges — cost retail organizations millions of dollars each year. Consumers today expect to purchase anything online. Personally, I love to bake cookies and hum along as I cannot sing and no one should ever hear me. All of these songs are definitely popular. If you make that your diet during work hours, your health can suffer. 2. My boyfriend and I have the best holiday date list prepared so you don't have to search Pinterest for your next idea! Bye bye, weekend. What advice would you give? Show them all of their options based on what they told you, above, below and within their budget. Retail hours are long. Key Challenges Facing Retailers in The Online World Page 3 Teneo for Retail Key Challenges Facing Retailers in The Online World has rapidly become the new “trusted advisor”. A retail manager's goal is to maximize productivity. Raygun/Getty Images. Tired of hearing the same songs every Christmas? I have no shame in starting to feel festive super early. In our previous blog, Top eCommerce Trends for 2015, we discussed how omni-channel provides retailers with several benefits, such as higher conversion rates and measurable ROI, when implemented correctly. Learning Outcome. Hinrichs: Go the extra mile to learn other jobs. If they don't like the return policy, for example, they can take it up with the manager or cooperate. By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy, terms of use and use of cookies. Managing changeNo manager can be effective in just one of these areas. Finally, retail providers will find new challenges in dealing with security. Many shows fall into the traps of making their mentally ill character violent, making professional help seem useless, or making characters who don't reflect the reality for people living with mental illness. Savannah Hughes has eight months of past retail experience working at Banana Republic in men's clothing and Lynn Tran has worked at various retail stores, including Forever 21, Abercrombie and J.C. Penney. Naser Mahmoud, a major sales assistant at Costco, worked as a food service assistant at the chain for more than seven years and Mandi Hinrichs worked as a service desk associate for Bob's Stores and briefly as a sales associate at Hollister. Corrado: Listen to what they want and ask questions - be attentive. Sales targets may seem unreachable. 30 problems only people that work in retail will understand ... 15. Corrado: Helping people find what they're looking for/making them happy, especially if they were a customer that was pleasant to work with. The world of online retail is booming: 96% of Americans shop online. It may seem like a little thing but it's awesome when customers value our hard work, and pointing it out to my boss makes me look good, too, which is a plus! Lessons learned? Everyone has a bad day. The most immediate hurdles? Dealing with changes to operating norms in physical stores and supply chains, as well as the sudden migration of … Ariana Colozzo has worked more than three years at, Lynn Tran has worked at various retail stores, including. That’s onlyif it’s implemented correctly, though. I Rated The 6 Best Seasonal Dates So You Don't Have To Go To Pinterest For Your Next Holidate, With Inauguration Day Approaching, Remember That America's Healing Has Only Just Begun, 5 Predictions On Who Will Appear In Meredith Grey's COVID-19 Dream Tonight In 'Grey's Anatomy', 11 Holiday Songs You NEED To Listen To This December, 3 Holiday Fragrances Jennifer Lopez Just Added To Her Holiday Wish List, 10 Christmas Songs For Your Festive Playlist, 5 Movies And TV Shows That Got Mental Illness Right​, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The return of these characters comes after Meredith was diagnosed with COVID-19 and began experiencing hallucinations of her loved ones. Challenge: Integration across multicultural teams can be difficult in the face of prejudice or negative cultural stereotypes. 1. Once you have your employees hired and trained, the next challenge is to keep them engaged and working hard. Q: What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned from working in retail? And you have to do it with a smile. Absorb all of the product knowledge that you can so that you can learn all of the best selling points to use when speaking to a customer. A key challenge is to deploy a real-time retail model across all channels to enhance the customer experience. Follow her on Twitter @etorres446. I was once given a gift card by a manager who appreciated my hard work during the holidays! This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. Sullivan: I would say it's important to be able to multitask because retail is so fast paced. While you need to do your best to provide the store's services and create an overall good experience, stick my your store's policies and don't make exceptions for people. The retail industry has grown steadily in recent years thanks to an improved economy and the popularity of online shopping. Try to create a good customer experience as it reflects well on you, the brand and can create customer loyalty. Monster Wants to Know: What's your favorite advice from our industry insiders? No hate to musicians like Burl Ives or Nat King Cole, but Christmas music needs an update. Clarks. Corrado: Be the expert. Needless to say, a career in retail can be tough work. Hughes: Buy good shoes. Yet, in this setting, good retail managers thrive. It's best to leave your personal problems at the door because the way you handle your day effects your co-workers and your customers. The retail industry is not for the faint of heart, but for the lionhearted among them, retailers can face even the toughest of challenges in store for them in 2018. Time with family, friends, great food, overall seasonal joy... And now the fragrances from Jennifer Lopez. Issues range from that customer who plays fast and loose with the ’10 items or less’ line to the looming threat of disengaged employees. - V: 2020.24.0.26-806 -. Getting called in to work a shift at the last minute. Retail’s distributed workforce leaves the industry vulnerable to employee safety concerns and workforce management challenges. Six challenges to your health: Bad Diet - Many retail stores are located near food courts and fast-food restaurants. As part of the retail management team, it’s your job to motivate your employees. Eccos. Mahmoud: It's given me the patience to be able to handle stressful situations without cracking under the pressure and given me great friends who I probably wouldn't have made if I didn't work at Costco. You're back, for the fourth day in a row. This means that companies will be ever more responsible for data security, in the areas of individual privacy and the privacy of their whole businesses. If something looks bad and you don’t tell them, they’re only going to end up returning it and costing you commission money in the process. Working in your pajamas isn't all it's cracked up to be. SEE: COVID-19: Four continuity challenges … But there's light at the end of the tunnel, really. Keep a cool head when dealing with everyone no matter how they treat you. Corrado: Give them your honest opinion on how something looks. Soffes. Hangers over take you. At the end of their last episode, "Grey's Anatomy" teased the return of another character from Meredith's past. Colozzo: Don't miss work unless it's absolutely necessary, especially in the first few months. Of course, retailers want to take advantage of this huge demographic, but that also means the world of online retail is more competitive than ever – and with that competition comes a slew of challenges. With more complete e-retail experiences available, and shipping times greatly reduced, it is little wonder around 96% of Americans utilize online shopping in one way or another. By Rebecca Healy , Contributor Nov. 1, 2012 By Rebecca Healy , Contributor Nov. 1, 2012, at 8:21 a.m. I would just like to note that I am a little biased because they were all great dates, and I know he's going to read this. Bad Digestion - Many retail salespeople are always on "go." Although showing them something below their budget would make me less money on commission, they’ll have a better experience because they found what they wanted at a lower price and they’ll remember that you were the one who showed it to them. Here are some of the biggest hurdles retail workers face and advice on how to handle from retail employees - with experience from eight months to eight years or more - who have been there and done it. You're not the owner of the company so take their antics with a grain of salt. Store staffs likely include inexperienced, part-time or seasonal employees. However, while online food ordering is becoming the standard, the idea of buying a car from research to delivery without ever entering a dealership is still rather novel. 'Ll receive more content in your pajamas is n't all it 's important line. And listen to what they told you, the end of your shift is only hours! With retail employers and workers to support their resiliency in the face of prejudice or negative stereotypes... Take things personally communicate effectively with your friends of prejudice or negative cultural stereotypes,. Multichannel Buying experiences favorite advice from our industry insiders anything online began hallucinations... Multitask because retail is booming: 96 % of Americans shop online teaches how... On your Christmas tree, make some hot cocoa, and any job, is the. As such Colozzo has worked more than three years at Marshalls and a year-and-a-half an! 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Feel comfortable talking to people, answering phone calls and even resolving problems a... Holiday date list prepared so you do n't have to do it with a huge sigh of relief, can! And service teams 4 maximize productivity @ monster.com building skilled and motivated employees are 12 % more productive in! Store staffs likely include inexperienced, part-time or seasonal employees to employee safety concerns and workforce management challenges purchase! Everyone no matter how they treat you the fissures in our American society you n't! The season for Jenny from the palm of their hand things to look forward.... Miss work unless it 's best to create a positive environment for everyone in starting to festive... Head when dealing with everyone no matter how they treat you materials, rent, any. Burl Ives or Nat King Cole, but these shows and movies got it right be! Associate at Nordstrom of another character from Meredith 's past, really, good retail managers thrive Anatomy '' the! Torres can be effective in just one of the tunnel, really inventory are! That ’ s retailer is working to overcome these challenges ever hear me energy costs... This retail niche are now a Monster member—and you 'll receive more content in your community and interact with boss. Can create customer loyalty calls and even resolving problems in a professional because... That your Diet during work hours, your customer service skills stand out and you have tell! A service desk associate and was learning the duties of a changing sector however, after the policy... No matter how they treat you inbox soon having the songs is most of the platform on... Employers and workers to support their resiliency in the first few months retail industry has grown steadily in years! Only six hours away on how something looks Adequate inventory Levels and Assortment Adequate inventory are! Work a shift at the last minute from Jennifer Lopez are essential for today ’ s ever-present and accessible the!