Retailers....Please don't run away.

[Merelan]

As most of you know I am a retail manager of a craft and fabric store. So here's my question, to other retailers, whether management or not. The government says we are in a recession. Okay. How has the season been going? Are you making budget? bereaking even with last year? Or in the hole?
I am up 43% to budget and 30% to last year.
But, I know other companies in my mall are down, alot in some cases. What type of retail are you in, not specific stores, and how is the business?

Just being nosey. Oh, and how were the customers this year? Worse then last year? Or nicer? Pickier? Or grabbing anything and running for the registers.
I know I am up in business because of the recent events. Listening to the people coming in and buying things to make I discovered that more were having a smaller, home made Christmas. A more family, closer one then ever before.

On the other hand, Dreamer is the General Manager of a men's clothing store, and for the last month business has been down about 25%. The men coming in there now are not buying any extras. No add ons. The basics, and darn little of those.

Starshine is a computer tech and even there sales are down a bit. Not much, but down none the less. He finds more people wanting to just make do, or upgrade a little then replacing old systems.

 

[Thumper]

Career change!

I am thinking I need to get into retail instead of driving. That way I could meet ladies like Merelan and April..and Kitten Eyes...and...and....and

 

[April]

Ahh, you know I can't resist answering the rabbit.

Thumper, don't go into retail. You'd hate it, and everybody in the world in just a few days. Now, on the other hand, I think you and I need to step into my office for a little talk. Don't worry, I'll let you out when we're done. *weg*

 

[Basia]

I don't know the exact numbers, but we are doing a lot better than we did last year (according to manigment anyway) and the store is a lot busier than it was last June when I started... but it's a toy store, so I could be blabbing for nothing.

 

[teresafannin]

We are holding our own at my store. It isn't going to be a blockbuster holiday season, but not as bad as some of the stores around here. Our business has been steady, but we are already letting our seasonal help go, which isn't too great a loss, since we didn't have very good help this year. Overall, customers have been easier to deal with than past years. I think for a lot of people, the events of 9/11 made them realize what is really important. On a personal note, I am glad it is about over. Holidays are still really stressful for me, but this year was a bit better than last.

 

[Merelan]

So I am not the only one with lousy seasonal help? Gads. Out of 10 people we hired to help out only one made it till Christmas. We had to call up old employees and beg them to help. Most of those applying for help had such limited availability, or wanted an exorbiant amount of cash.

 

[Wizard]

As some know I run a local sign shop inour town, now we would not really be the same as most of the store you are talking about.
Winter time we slow down and have not so far this year but it is still early Jan.,and Feb. are just around the coner.

We beat last year for sales and profit by 20%

We have never noticed anyone slow down buying...........................

 

[teresafannin]

Hi Merelan, our seasonal help was the worst I have seen in the 10 years I have been at this store. Most of them wanted no nights or weekends, 10.00 an hour & to stand at the cash register, whether there was anyone ready to check out or not. The up side is that we do have a crew of college kids who work for us every summer & again at Christmas. My job is more behind the scenes & I get to pick who is on my team. Needless to say, none of the seasonal help is staying this year. I hate interviewing, so to get out of this year, I helped our Human Resources manager by doing all of her filing, mailing, etc. There isn't enough money in Target Corp to get me to do her job. Thank goodness it is over for another year.

 

[Angelus]

Our sales this year were probably the best ever.... which is a damn good thing. It was pretty much rush rush rush for the past three months. I don't know why and I'll probably be told that I'm crazy but I actually love where I work now..... it keeps me busy all day.

 

[T.H. Oughts]

As most of you know I am a retail manager of a craft and fabric store. The government says we are in a recession.

When people pull their belts in and they stop spending on going out to clubs and eating etc, the craft industry gets a boom becasue people are looking to spend money on something to do at home in the evenings. Also winter time is the busy period for craft industry because more people spent time indoors and want something to do

 

[Cloak38]

I own a collectibles web-site and the past month or so has been really good. Moved a lot of pop culture items such as celebrity dolls, Simpsons figures, and toys that have been cluttering up my basement.

My business took a big hit right after Sept. 11 so I needed a decent Christmas Over all, my sales are up about 22 % over this same time last year.

 

[Elizabeth]

Althought I do work in retail, I am in systems, not managment. Sales took a big hit since Sept. I work for a superstore-type place so no profit is really made on the grocery end. I will have to see about Christmas..I do know several departments were up quite a bit from last year.

 

[Basia]

we had a lot of returns today, but as for the seasional help, they are great, but we can only keep 25 on for the rest of the year.

 

[Silverlily]

Damn, no wonder my ears have been burning...


I got out of apparel (overall, a market on the decline) and got into optics (hell, everyone needs to see). Business this years has been a little better than expected.

As far as customer behavior, I get very few attitudes. Give me grief and you'll never know those dark, square frames make you look like a Neanderthal.

 

[Samuari]

Most of you know that I work for Wal~Mart. It looks like we will bring in December quite nicely, arround a 12% sales increace, and a 15% profit ( We took fewer markdowns and had better sell through of liabilities). Of course we are also a company that seems to do well in slow ecnomies, so I don't know if that is a good or bad thing for the nation overall.

 

[Merelan]

Thank you for your information.

Kitten, you mean these dark thick frames don't make me look thoughtful and provacative?

 

[IA951]

Thumper, don't go into retail. You'd hate it, and everybody in the world in just a few days.

This is some true shit.
I was in the retail biz for a good number of years, and KNOW that's the way it is.

I always thought that subjecting shoplifters and other flaming assholes to the same hell we have been put through would be apt punishment.