A Salute to Retail Employees

As long as I was in retail, I’ve never missed working during the Holiday Season. I was lucky one year when I was working at the Bank and it looks like this is the second time in over ten years that I don’t have to be on the front lines. Ever since December rolled around, it felt like something was missing. However, I think I’m more gladly missing it than sadly missing it.

I haven’t been sick a day this last part of the year. I don’t come home every night devoid of energy. Working the retail front lines tends to wear you down quite a bit. I never realized how much till now. People around me have even noticed that I seem way happier and relaxed. It just makes me appreciate all the great people that I’ve met in the retail industry even more. Many didn’t have a choice like I did, but they continue to do the best and most professional job day in and day out.

Working in the retail front lines is a TOUGH job. For those that do the job properly and with heart, I salute you. For those that suck, you deserve to deal with that “crazy lady”. However, it doesn’t mean that when a customer is being an asshole, they need to smile and nod and take it. You’ll probably write to head office and complain and whine and bitch about how poorly you were being treated when it was YOU who was being a dick. Golden rule in effect, and no I don’t mean the one that says “The one who has the gold makes the rules.” I mean the one that when you’re being an ass to the salesperson, you will get your door dinged or keyed in the parking lot.

Not only is retail emotionally hard, it is physically hard. I guess when I was younger, it didn’t affect me as much. Now that I’m a bit older, approaching the big three oh, my body tends to be a bit more sensitive to stress and the effects of stomping around on a concrete floor for eight to ten hours a day. No sitting. At least not where I worked. Since leaving, my visits to the chiropractor have diminished considerably; my back feels great! The foot bath that Kelly bought me last Xmas has gone unused since I left. My feet would be so swollen and tired that I would have to soak them in Epsom Salts before bed. Just so they could take a beating again the next day.

For some reason yesterday, I felt compelled to hit the mall. I hate the mall. I’ve spent enough time in it over the years. I went to see my old staff. When I left them, it was bittersweet. On one side I was thrilled to finally devote myself to my business. On the other hand, the staff that I was leaving behind, a couple of which I hand picked and hired, would be left in the charge of my then Assistant Manager; someone who takes laziness, incompetence, and selfishness to a whole new level. I wanted to stay until this individual was dealt with appropriately, but I had delayed my dreams long enough. I had to go. I guess my visit yesterday provided me with some closure and assurance that things would be alright without me.

I was really happy to see everyone and it looked like everyone was happy to see me. The “One who shall not be named” was nowhere to be seen. Oh Darn! Everyone was in great spirits, and I’m happy that the team stayed together. It was very sad for me to leave a group that worked so hard for me as I did for them. Apparently “You Know Who” pulled the stress leave card before action was taken to “correct the error” of ones presence. Did I add sneaky to that list? At any rate, morale and sales immediately increased, and it was great to see the store do well again. I could only imagine how well the store would have done the rest of the year without dead weight attached.

As I said goodbye to the old team, I thought about the new team I’ve built. Team Futurelooks has started to become a very strong group and we’ve accomplished a lot in 2006. We’ve given to a great charity. We’ve continue to build our traffic and readership. I really can’t wait for 2007 to arrive. The future looks bright for Futurelooks