So this week I started at Hemline! I feel like this all happened very quickly, but so far so good. I first went in on Wednesday, and just worked a few hours because it was very slow. I was really intimidated to talk to people and be outgoing. I felt weird at first having 2 girls younger than me watching me. It's always hard starting a new job regardless of what it is.
I worked my first full shift Saturday morning from 9:45-2. It was extremely slow, but I got to ring up a couple of sales. By a couple, I mean exactly 2. That's how slow it was. I guess this store is having trouble with business because it's only been open for a few months. I have to say, I originally thought it was a great location in the River Oaks area, but this particular shopping center isn't hopping with tons of foot traffic. It is located next to a Starbucks and a La Madeline, but most people that walk by, do just that, walk by. Most people that come in are return customers or have shopped at another one. (There are 11 locations in the South.) It will be interesting to see how business increases. They don't have daily or weekly goals yet, but they will be getting them in the coming months.
Today was my 2nd full shift, 12-5. I was there for the opening and the closing. We were much busier today, but it still wasn't busy. I have the hang of ringing people up. That was my goal for the weekend. I haven't seen a return or a hold yet. I also didn't learn how to run the closing report. I'm sure it's not difficult, but I need to learn how to do it. The girl I was working with, was in a rush to get home, and didn't walk me through it. I know how that feels.
I've learned a few things just talking to the other girls at work. Each Hemline is individually owned because it is a franchise. Each one is a little different. If you get something from another store, you have to pay the cost. This is fairly common. Stores call each other all the time asking for clothing checks. It's just really interesting to learn about how it works. It also freaks me out, because I don't know how to do that yet.
Through small talk, I've also been trying to talk to the girls about the basics of working in retail. Most of the girls have lots of experience and opinions, which is perfect because I have little to none! It seems like the biggest issues girls have are paycheck problems and disorganization. Several girls have had problems in the past with not getting paid for hours worked until much later. Many of the girls are working themselves through school, and they need the money. This is a side job for me, so it's not the end of the world, but that's not true for everyone. Two girls mentioned the fact that they had hours and shifts on the schedule, and then get cut an hour into the shift or are called to not come in. This happens when the store is really slow. The disorganization piece comes in because I get the feeling the manager is stretched really thin. Things fall unnoticed and several comments were made by the other girls about being annoyed at something or other. I know they are doing a contest for commission. Whoever has the most per hour, gets a free paid day off. Maybe this will help with morale.
The only POS system I've ever used was at Texadelphia. It is really different ringing up beers and sandwiches than clothes. Hemline uses Quick books for everything including clocking in and out. Another girl I work with has worked at like 5 different stores over the years including Nordstrom and Barney's. She said the best POS system is RetailPro. Callie says this is what LMD uses. Quick books is super user friendly, so if RetailPro is better, it must be great! I'm curious to know what other stores use! Ha Maybe a pretty lame thing to be interested in!
Ok so this has been an embarrassingly long post, but I'm just in the zone. I just wanted to address my goal from a couple of weeks ago. Actually having another job has kind of gotten in my way of searching other stores. I will say that Hemline does not order their clothes like LMD. They place clothes in the stores by color blocking. From what I can tell, they block by style also, but mainly color. they do put outfits together on hangers and on mannequins. This also includes jewelry. There are always necklaces, rings, etc. on the mannequins and hangers.
Ok, so finally done. Sorry to bore you! Come see me at Hemline!
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