Tell us your story — and win big!

About the Retail: an Inside Look video blog series: At NRF’s 2010 and 2011 BIG Shows, NRF Foundation videotaped five-minute interviews with various attendees who work in all different facets of retail, from Directors of Sales to Vice President of Human Resources.  These interviewees discussed their climb up the retail career ladder and gave us insight into some of their favorite aspects of the industry.

Watch our Retail: an Inside Look video and learn more about what Jeffrey has to say about his experience in the retail industry.

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About Retail: an Inside Look video blog series: At NRF’s 2010 and 2011 BIG Shows, NRF Foundation videotaped five-minute interviews with various attendees who have worked in different facets of retail, from customer service insight managers to specialists in loss prevention. These interviewees discussed their climb up the retail career ladder and gave us insight into some of their favorite aspects of the industry.

On Valentine’s Day, when everyone was feeling the love, we reached out to our Retail Careers Facebook and Twitter followers and asked them to tell us why they loved retail, and specifically, why they loved working in retail. Here’s what they had to say.

ALWAYS CHANGING

Retail is never perfect — there’s always a way to do something better, and that’s what I love most!

I love retail because I’m never bored. Things are always busy, even when there are no customers!

I enjoy the variables which constantly change in the retail equation. Yesteryear it was S&H Green Stamps, today it’s electronic loyalty programs. Customers used to clip coupons, and now they can use digital coupons smartphone applications. But one thing which has always remained the same is that a satisfied customer makes our paychecks possible!

PLEASING CUSTOMERS

I have been in retail sales for over 20 years and I can’t get enough of it! I am one of those lucky people who really loves what I do… I love making my customers feel that I am there for them, to listen to their needs, and strive to help in anyway I can. You can’t always help everyone that walks into your selling world be it whatever you do, but to leave a lasting impression that wins their business is what 100% Customer Satisfaction is all about!

I heart working in retail because I feel like I have a career in making people’s day everyday.

I believe to be truly happy you have to love what you do, & I do! My formula: RETAIL+ME=100% Customer Service!

I love retail b/c everything always changes. How do you convince the customer to buy what you are selling? It is so much fun trying to figure it out.

That’s hard, because there are so many things I like about my job. I’d have to say I love my job because it’s challenging, in a good way, and it’s rewarding because I get to help people do what they want to do. It’s different every day. It provides me with the opportunity to be creative and to try new things, meet new people, work on projects, and to continually stretch myself in doing things I’m not always comfortable doing. So my job still remains challenging. Being able to help people—the—helping them find work that they really will enjoy as much as I enjoy my job and career.

FAST-PACED, TEAM ENVIRONMENT, & PASSION FOR FASHION

There’s nothing like the daily hustle and bustle.

Being on a team to help get the job done and helping the community through volunteerism and donations.

I loved working in retail because I like clothes.

Let’s continue the conversation. We want to hear from you. Tell us what you love about retail by making a comment below!

Want more love? Read last year’s I Love Retail blog post.

“Hmmm. I bet most folks don’t know that our very first employee that we ever hired
still works here. Her name is Barbara Anderson and she started more than 30 years
ago as our first salesperson and today is one of our fabulous Vice Presidents of Stores.”

When The Container Store joined as an NRF Employer Partner, we were thrilled at the opportunity to interview Barbara Anderson and feature her on our Retail Career’s Blog. Barbara has recently retired, but after her years of experience — and working with a lot of  people — she has great advice on the skills needed to get ahead. And, she has some great stories! Wait until you hear how she answered: “Tell us something about The Container Store that most people don’t know.”

When did you first fall in love with retail?

Very early in my life – when, as a child, I would play store for days on end and my toy cash register was a favorite toy. I always loved to go into stores, look at how things were displayed and watch the staff do their jobs. It was not until as an adult, when I had my first garage sale, that I realized I missed my calling. It took several years before I found The Container Store, and once I found it, I never looked back.

You started at The Container Store more than 30 years ago as a salesperson. You’re retiring as a Vice President of Stores. How did you get where you are today?

Oh gosh, over the years my career has taken many different and fascinating paths. All within a year and a half, I went from a customer to a part-time employee to full-time to store manager of our first store. After 11 years of store management, I became involved with building the community service aspect of our business; I ran the call center in its earlier days; developed new employee training and our first handbook; worked to ensure that every employee, in every store truly understood the culture that makes our company so great; was a regional manager and for the last six years of my career was one of our Vice Presidents of Stores. I have always been one to act if I see something that needs to be done or changed. I love interacting with people – employees and customers. I am willing to do what needs to be done to move things forward. These were great attributes to help me grow my career in an entrepreneurial company and to help guide The Container Store through the 30+ years of the tremendous growth we have experienced.

Can you talk about how an on-the-job experience or training program helped prepare you?

Obviously, I had no background in retail; however, so much of it came very naturally to me. Plus I really understood how I needed to be responsible for my own education if I was going to quickly learn the world of retail. I watched and listened to Kip Tindell (Chairman and CEO) and Garrett Boone (Chairman Emeritus), hanging on every word they said and display that they touched. I constantly challenged myself to be the best I could be and to be bold in trying new things. I quickly learned to read my customers and adjust my approach to their specific, individual needs. Retail became a fascinating laboratory for me – one in which I would constantly try new ways of displaying products and approaching customers and then tweaking the results.

What are the two most important skills you’ve learned and used throughout your career at The Container Store?

First, when dealing with personnel issues, I learned early on not to jump to conclusions. Good people really want to do their job well and if one assumes the employee is trying to do the right thing, but the results of their efforts were not what they or we expected, then the outcome of the conversation is much different than if I had immediately assumed the worst of that employee. This means I had to learn to really listen to what other people were saying and to not be too busy to ask questions in order to ensure that I fully understand the situation before I made a decision. I also learned the importance of regular follow up with clear and compassionate communication. Clearly spelling out for the employee what they did well and developing an action plan for the areas of opportunities they had for career growth.

Second, retail at The Container Store is all about true customer service. I learned how to quickly build a rapport with each of my customers that included more than just finding the product they were looking for. Instead I realized it was about truly caring enough to ask the right questions so that I could find the right and complete solution for each customer’s particular organization needs.

There are many misconceptions about working in retail (low pay, long hours, little career advancement, etc.). Which myth can you debunk for us?

At The Container Store, low pay is not an issue as we pay over industry average and employees are compensated according to their contribution. Long hours? Yes, I must say, some days are long days, especially during the busy seasons, however the hours literally fly by because it is so easy to get caught up in the positive energy in the store.

Finish this sentence, I loved working in retail because ………… each day was unique because of the people – our employees and our customers, the products and the opportunities that come with being a part of the service industry.

What was the biggest benefit of working in retail? What did you love most?

I could write a whole book about the benefits of working in retail. One of the many benefits I have always appreciated is the constant interaction with the people, whether it is employees or customers. It gave me a chance to be creative and truly feel as if I had been able to make a positive impact in another person’s life.

What was the biggest challenge?

At times, because of our passion for knowledge and belief that “Communication is Leadership,” keeping up with all the product information, training, and the large amounts of company communication can be challenging, but I would never have wanted it any other way.

What advice can you share about how to advance in the industry?

Some of the qualities one needs to advance in retail are self motivation; the ability to learn from all the opportunities and resources around you; lots of positive energy; love of people and a passion for sales and helping others. It’s also important to have an interest and understanding of all the different dynamics and metrics that explain the business and know how to put them into action to drive sales.

Tell us something about The Container Store that most people don’t know.

In the early days when we only had the 1600 sq. ft. store and no warehouse, Garrett would sleep in his car in the alley behind the store to guard the newest shipment of merchandise that would not fit into the store. As we gained more product and needed more storage space, Kip and Garrett rented regular storage units to store the extra merchandise. Since they had no way of keeping track of what product was where, they would have to go by memory and drive from storage unit to storage unit until they found it. In the beginning we did not have a safe, after the store closed we would hide the daily revenues above the ceiling tiles or under fixtures throughout the store and leave a note for the person opening the next day describing where the money was hidden. If the closing person forgot to leave the note, the next morning there would be a mad scramble throughout the store looking for the money. Times have certainly changed with armored car pick ups, 49 stores and a 1.1 million square foot, state of the art distribution center.

When The Container Store recruits, what are the most important traits you look for in a candidate?

Some of the qualities we look for are integrity and transparency; high, positive energy levels; exceptional communication skills; leadership skills; good time management skills; a passion for selling; and love of people. In addition, we also try to determine through conversation if the applicant has the same core values as the company values and culture.

What do you think will be the biggest change in the industry over the next decade? What should the next generation of retailers be prepared for?

The economy will be slow to recover as the country readjusts to the post recession economic climate. Many people will be managing lower disposable incomes which will change their shopping habits and retailers will be constantly adjusting to these changing patterns. To sustain success, retailers will need to be able to keep up with the rapid changes in technology. This will include understanding how to successfully communicate with their customers through all the consistently evolving channels.

In addition to the two skills that you’ve learned and used throughout your career, what other characteristics are important for success in a retail career?

Having good time management skills and the ability to keep multiple projects moving forward at the same time is a very important skill to have in a busy retail environment. Through trial and error I learned so much about all the different things that makes a product sell, such as lighting, placement with other products, shelf height, signage, staff embracement, etc. I also cannot emphasize enough the importance of loving to interact with people and the art of selling. The Container Store environment is a team oriented environment where we all understand that great accomplishments can be achieved if individuals do not worry about who is going to get the credit – which is a philosophy I have carried with me throughout my whole career. I also learned the importance of making sure all of our employees feel valued, respected and are able to see the progress they are making in their job performance. If the employees are treated well they will make sure the customers are well served and this of course makes for a strong and healthy company.

30+ Years at The Container Store – can you sum it up in one word?

Rewarding!

With more than 25 years of experience, in merchandising and marketing, at companies such as Levi’s, Dockers, and Banana Republic, Mr. Coe knows what it takes to succeed in the retail industry.

Read on as he shares his thoughts about why he was drawn to retail, why you shouldn’t take any experience for granted, and why Lands’ End is a good place to work.

Nick Coe, President of Lands’ End, in the new Lands’ End Canvas store

What characteristics are most important for a successful career in retail?

I think it’s about curiosity, passion for product, a deep understanding of the customer and an ability to pull stories together whether online, in a catalog, on a shop floor or in a store window that inspire a customer to engage with the brand.

What advice can you share with students and young professionals on how to be successful in the retail industry?

Take nothing for granted; even the most junior level product/merchandising role can offer you valuable insight into how a specialty retailer works and what is required to succeed.  Moreover, you should be constantly studying the industry to understand the competitive landscape and what customers are being inspired by.

Will you share a bit about your own career path? Have you always been interested in retail as a career? If not, what led you to retail?

I became intrigued by the industry because I was naturally drawn to product that I couldn’t afford— enticed by beautiful tailoring or a perfect pair of jeans.  I was seduced by the notion that great quality could and should be available at a price the average customer can afford. Once I learned the basics of merchandising, I wanted to go beyond building product to building a brand. And I wanted to do it in concert with the customer, rather than to the customer. That means listening to the customer, merchandising to meet their real needs and occasions for wear, and ultimately, telling great stories.

Why do you like working for Lands’ End and why should others want to join you?

I think we have built an environment that cultivates and recognizes a passion for creativity for products, people and business solutions. At Lands’ End, creativity does not stop with design, but rather permeates the entire organization.

Lands’ End is an authentic brand with deep roots in quality, customer service and value that is more relevant for today’s customer than ever before. The opportunity to mine that history, leverage the knowledge of long-term employees and harness the loyalty of the core customer base to help chart a course for the future is invaluable.

What advice would you offer someone interested in a retail career or currently working in an entry level position?

I would say there are four things they need to do.

First, be prepared to face and drive change. This industry is all about change and it needs to constantly move forward to stay buoyant.

Secondly, you must take educated risks.  Recognize that what worked yesterday won’t always work tomorrow, so plan for that.

Thirdly, trust your gut. There is a fine balance between the art and science of design, merchandising and marketing, which is why a strong instinct is invaluable.

Finally, it is imperative that you clearly define and understand your customer and never stop looking for ways to surprise and delight them.

Nick Coe, President of Lands’ End, was also interviewed on NRF’s BIG Blog about his company’s best practices in customer service.

Chris McCormick was first drawn to L.L. Bean because it was a family-owned business and built on a love of the outdoors. Mr. McCormick became the company’s Assistant Advertising Manager in 1983. In the 18 years that followed, he earned a succession of promotions: in 1991, he became Vice President of Advertising and Direct Marketing; in 2000, he became Chief Marketing Officer; and, as of May 2001 — upon Leon Gorman’s move to Chairman of the Board — he became the first non-family member to take on the title of President and CEO at L.L. Bean, Inc.

What incentives, if any, do you offer employees who provide exceptional service? What qualities do you look for in assessing and hiring candidates?

We look for friendly, positive people who are down-to-earth, share a love for the outdoors, and have a sincere interest in helping customers.

Do you believe that retail in general, and L.L. Bean in particular, provide attractive career opportunities for young people today? How can you — or any other retailer, for that matter — ensure that your employees are consistently good ambassadors for your company?

At L.L. Bean, we have the advantage of a legendary brand that is admired far and wide. We encourage our employees to use our products and participate in outdoor activities. In addition to vacation time off, we offer employees “outdoor experience days,” and have an employee use room so they have firsthand knowledge of our products. We are very fortunate to have a brand that makes people want to be part of it themselves.

You started your career in marketing, and you’ve worked for L.L. Bean since 1983. Have you held any other positions in retail? How did you get where you are today?

I have held a variety of jobs in marketing and administration in other companies, but all of my retail and multi-channel experience came while at L.L. Bean. My own professional growth has come from a desire and ability to see and take advantage of opportunities to grow the business. This is a valuable skill and is something we continue to look for in new talent.

It has been said that attitude is more important than an education in the fundamentals of retailing to drive success in one’s career. Do you agree? Why or why not?

To be good in retail you have to be good with people, so yes, attitude is critically important in maintaining a positive friendly relationship with customers. Yet, one cannot underestimate the importance of education. Retail is getting increasingly sophisticated and complex. The demands of the multi-channel environment require bright people to manage the challenges of so many disciplines: operations and fulfillment, information systems, marketing, product development, and sourcing, to name only a few.

What characteristic is most important for success in a retail career?

In addition to attitude and education, flexibility and adaptability are also very important. In my time at L.L. Bean, we have gone from being an expert cataloguer with one store in Maine, to a multi-channel international enterprise. The competition in retail is fierce and if you don’t adapt to what’s going on in the marketplace you’re done. New media, social media, and the world of the Internet in general, have been huge game changers. Everybody has a voice and this puts even greater pressure on us as we compete while still trying to maintain a compelling value proposition through relevant products, price, quality, convenience, and service. To come out on top you will need to experiment, take some risks, and experience failure. The sooner a person can get comfortable with that the better off he or she will be.

What advice can you share with students and young professionals on how to advance in the industry?

Build a portfolio of experience, starting with the customer experience, and obtain as much cross-functional exposure as possible in order to understand the breadth and depth of the multi-channel retail environment. You won’t succeed if you don’t know all the appropriate touch points of the customer experience. But once you gain that knowledge, you will start to understand why a customer is or is not returning to you for his or her future needs.

To read more about L.L. Bean, and their award-winning customer service strategies, visit the NRF Retail’s BIG Blog.

If you think one sales associate can’t make a difference, take five minutes and watch:

Click here to view the embedded video.

A few lines that really stuck with me:

“Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories… A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the store.”

At the end of the video, a question is asked: “Will you be a Johnny today?”

I’d also like to know: Have you ever encountered a Johnny? Share with us your “Johnny the Bagger” story.

UW-Madison has a long lasting relationship with China. Over 1,200 current students are from China – more than from any other country. There are over 1,600 alumni currently live in China.  Tell us about the presentation delivered by your alumni, Mr. and Mrs. Fang. What did you learn about retail brand management?

Mr. and Mrs. Fang gave an awesome presentation on the retailing industry in China and what needs to be considered by companies trying to enter the market. A large part of launching and expanding a brand in China relies on the background and cultural issues of the country. For example, the ratio of males to females continues to grow. With the past history of the “one child policy,” there are many more boys/men than girls/women. This is important to keep in mind when merchandising and determining a product assortment. The Fangs also focused on the geographical differences within the country of China. Almost all major cities are located along the coast, specifically the Eastern coast.

Jeffrey and Christine Fang, UW alumni, deliver a presentation about retailing in China

Retailers need to consider this when choosing a location to launch in. Moving further inland is likely to hurt their chances of gaining market share and establishing a stable brand reputation with the Chinese consumer. The luxury market and its domination is something the Fangs mentioned. China’s social statuses are very divided from poor to affluent.

What did you learn about retail operations in China that differs from the U.S.?

I really noticed that many sales associates at clothing retailers wear uniforms. There is also a lack of visual merchandising as compared to in the United States. The level of customer service was also very different and de-emphasized. The language barrier might have been what lead to this, but when I would observe associates interacting with Chinese consumers, there wasn’t that much of a difference.

Tell us about opportunities you became aware of for/about retailers in China that you did not know about before?

The middle class is somewhere that I think retailers can attempt to expand on. We learned that that the luxury market in China is extremely successful, yet when you look at the breakdown of social statuses, there are really only polar opposites-poor vs. affluent. However, many presenters throughout our trip emphasized the growing middle class.  This may be an area for retailers to capitalize on.

After this trip, can you picture yourself living and working in retail in Hong Kong or Shanghai?

Personally, I cannot see myself working in Hong Kong or Shanghai, but I definitely see myself working with companies and partners in the East.  This trip has made me realize how global the retailing industry has become, and I value the importance of keeping relationships in countries, like China.

What’s your most memorable experience from the trip?

My most memorable moment of the trip was the last night in Shanghai.  Our group was invited to join UW’s Chancellor Biddy Martin for an alumni reception. Chancellor Martin was in China connecting with universities and spreading the “Wisconsin Idea.” I thought it was a great event, as it really wrapped up the entire trip. At the reception, there were alumni that live in China, parents of current and future students, faculty, and students. The event emphasized the role UW can, and does, have on a global scale.  I realized that being a student of the University of Wisconsin I am capable of many things beyond our state and nation.

University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of NRF Foundation’s college partners.

UW-Madison has more than 1,200 students from China, more than from any other country, and its 70 Chinese faculty are believed to be the most at a single institution in the U.S.  The university also boasts more than 25 projects, programs and partnerships involving UW-Madison and China.  Tell us more about this relationship.  What can be said about the importance of studying China as it relates to the future of the retail industry?

Yes, China and the UW have had a long standing relationship.  As a matter of fact while we were there, the UW Madison Chancellor, Biddy Martin was traveling with a group to further develop the relationship.

As the country, where a majority of goods for U.S. retailers are sourced, it is critical that our students have an understanding of China in order to understand U.S retail.  And the trip allowed our students to really develop a global view of the retailing industry.

The students’ enthusiasm for Chinese culture was evident as they detailed their experiences on the SOHE blog.  They visited the Tian Tan Buddha statue, Victoria Harbor, and sampled the food from Hong Kong’s most popular restaurants.  What can be said about your students’ eagerness for adventure?  How does it relate to their future retail career?

Our students continually demonstrate an enthusiasm for new experiences and learnings.  They really are fearless, rather than see obstacles they see opportunities.  They are so open to gathering other view points and to rethinking paradigms they’ve lived with all their lives.  This attitude will be a great advantage to them in their careers in retail.  They see the global community as a huge opportunity not something to be feared and they are willing to look for new ways to do things.

What was significant about visiting Li & Fung Corporate Headquarters?  How did learning about their retail operations contribute to the students’ curriculum?

Li and Fung is the premiere sourcing company in the world.  They have a developed an operational model that is truly unique and really is global.  The opportunity to visit their headquarters and hear from their leaders was invaluable.  The discussions were so broadening.  You could actually see the students thinking differently.

UW Students gather in the Li & Fung showrooms

What’s your most memorable experience from the trip?

I was actually thrilled to see the students grow.  We spend a lot of time in class discussing globalization, and emerging markets.  This trip brought all this to reality.  It was amazing to see the students and how prepared they were to absorb the experience.

On a personal level, the history in China is amazing.  We visited a 1,200 year old Buddhist temple that is still serving worshipers.  That kind of history is mind boggling for those of us in the U.S.

The students climbed hundreds of steps to visit the Buddhist temple.

What role did Kohl’s Department Stores and your other corporate partners play in making this trip possible?

The Center would not exist with out all of our Corporate Partners.  Kohl’s is amazingly generous in their support of our students.  Kohl’s suggested we look into the trip.  They funded the trip and helped us coordinate with Li and Fung.

Kohl’s simply provided a life changing opportunity for the students.  We could not be more grateful.  And all of our partners benefit from students who were afforded the opportunity to go on the trip.

Will you be returning to China with a new group of students in Spring 2011?

It’s too early to say for sure but it is certainly something we need to explore.  The trip was amazingly valuable.

What’s next for the Kohl’s Department Stores Center for Retailing Excellence?  Were you able to attend the NARMS Annual Conference last month?

We did in fact attend the NARMS conference.  And our students were exposed to an aspect of the industry that get’s very little attention on our curriculum.  NARMS was so generous in funding the trip for 12 of our students and allowing them to attend all of the educational and networking events.   As is always our goal it proved to be a great way to expand our definition of retail and to open new opportunities for our students.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Our center is so fortunate to have a great list of partners providing educational and career opportunities for our students.  We get to visit corporate headquarters, tour stores, and bring top leadership from each partner to campus to share their perspectives.  Our partners should be proud of their contribution to the education of the next generation.

There is no more important endeavor than education.

Learn more about the Kohl’s Center for Retailing Excellence, and follow them on Twitter.

When I heard that DECA was competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project, I reached out to Mike Marchetti for more details. Mike is the current chairman of DECA’s National Advisory Board, and also Executive Vice President of Store Operations for Finish Line. He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of DECA — not just because he personally believes in their mission, but also because of how the relationship impacts Finish Line’s bottom line.

Mike Marchetti, chairman of DECA's National Advisory Board, and Executive VP of Store Operations for Finish Line, with two DECA members.

You’ve worked in the retail industry for 30 years. Can you tell me about some of the previous positions you’ve held in retail? How did you get where you are today?

I started as a shoe salesman while working my way through college. After a few years in the Navy and completing my education, I decided to make retail a career. I was a natural salesman and so it was a good fit. I started my management career by managing stores for Kinney Shoes in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. From there I was promoted to District Manager in Houston, Texas, and then to Regional Vice President in Chicago.

Kinney acquired Champs Sports and Robby’s Sports. Both were based in Florida, with stores in the southeast. Having a passion for sports, I inquired about opportunities with the new company. When they started expanding to the Midwest, I joined as District Manager in Chicago, opening up stores across the Midwest. About a year later, I was promoted to Regional Vice President responsible for everything from Puerto Rico to Seattle, as well as all the Going to Game stores across the country.

In 1995, I met Larry Sablosky, one of the Finish Line founders. In talking to Larry, I found an opportunity of a lifetime. That’s when I joined Finish Line. And I have never looked back.

What are the two most important skills you’ve learned and used on your climb up the career ladder?

Being in management, I think the #1 skill you have to have is being able to coach a team. I have always compared it to being a good parent. As a parent, you want the best for your kids. It’s the same in being a good coach.

And I guess #2 would be hard work. Nothing replaces hard work. I think you can get anything you want in life if you are willing to work hard enough for it.

Finish Line has had a long partnership with DECA. Your company sponsors an Employment Partnership Program and the Sports & Entertainment Marketing Competitive Event. Finish Line also provides a number of scholarships, and you serve as Chairman of the National Advisory Board. Tell me more how the relationship started and the benefits of partnering with a student organization like DECA. Do you have a favorite DECA/Finish Line activity?

I was first introduced to DECA when I worked for Kinney Shoes. They’d had a long partnership with DECA and I knew that it was valuable to Kinney’s. I took that information with me when I went to Finish Line. When we were ready, I reached out to DECA to get our partnership started.

The Finish Line/DECA Partnership has many benefits – on both sides of the ball – but we are specifically focused on hiring DECA students in our stores. Their schools are a good overlay to our stores and the tie to the classroom provides a reliable source of semi-trained, career-focused employees.

As an Ops guy, my favorite part of the partnership, of course, is the bottom line. DECA students make up about 10% of our overall workforce and consistently outperform all other hiring sources for our company. We also gain valuable market information through our working relationship with DECA classes because the students are our core customer group.

That said, probably the most rewarding part of our partnership, for me is, our scholarship program and participating in DECA’s Executive Mentor Program. The thrill I get from encouraging and interacting with these young people is just incredible.

Your company holds an annual DECA Day with store managers. Why does Finish Line want to hire DECA members for its stores?

As I mentioned, DECA students represent 10% of our store employees – and we want more. DECA students are already trained in marketing, sales and service – and it shows. They routinely outperform our other hiring sources in every measurable category.

What advice can you share with students and young professionals on how to advance in the industry?

Retail is an incredibly dynamic industry. It also allows you to work just about anywhere you want to live. Those are VERY big benefits to consider when thinking about a career. As far as advancing, retail is very similar to other industries. You need to find the sector of the industry that inspires you to excel, work hard – and you will.

Finish this sentence, I love working in retail today because….

I am a very competitive person and I think retail is a very competitive industry. Change is a constant. It requires you to lead versus follow, to be successful.

NRF Foundation encourages you to vote for DECA in the Pepsi Refresh Project every day until April 30. The Pepsi Refresh Grant will help DECA expand on the development and delivery of their Competitive Events Program, of which a number are retail-focused.

Katie Loftus and Abby Kessler, co-owners of Smak Parlour

I read that over the past 5 years, Philadelphia has developed its own fashion community, marketing the city’s potential for an even bigger fashion scene.  How is your store contributing to this new focus of retail and design?  What do you think of the Philadelphia fashion scene?

Old City, Philadelphia is an awesome location to have an independently owned business. All of our neighbors do creative things, Philadelphia has a very DIY (do it yourself) feel and we’re proud to be a part of it. We contribute to this by designing and making our clothing in Philadelphia, thus creating jobs and being able to offer special, limited-edition items to our customers who love looking unique. We also support local artists by selling their jewelry and accessories.

The store design of Smak Parlour includes pinks, reds, blacks, stripes, polka dots a dozen chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. And, you design clothing based on what you want to wear. From where do you draw your inspiration?

We’re actually up to 16 chandeliers at this point!  We really draw inspiration from each other. We love looking back at different eras of fashion and getting inspired (pin- ups, 80’s, old Hollywood and more)! We love bouncing ideas off each other, we can get very imaginative!

You design clothing based on what you want to wear, so obviously you wear a lot of things from your own line. What are some of your favorite items? And, where are some other places you like to shop?

You might spot at least one of us wearing our signature ruffle hoodie. It is a long zip-up sweatshirt made of the softest baby french terry with luxurious gathered ruffles around the hood. We also love our over-sized sparkly turtlenecks that are sewn on to tanks, tees and tunics. We order styles from other vendors that we want to wear in addition to our own line, and ordering all of those items is a total shopping spree for us. Since we have such a broad range of items from jackets to shoes, for the most part, we really do only shop here!

Who is your typical customer?  Describe the “girl” who shops at Smak Parlour.

Our customers love fun, rock ’n roll, retro, girly, glam, 80’s, pin-up, vintage-inspired styles! It’s a lifestyle, not an age.

Smak Parlour’s store design.

Not too long ago, you doubled the size of your store and included other items such as housewares. Where do you see Smak Parlour business 5 years from now?

Five years is a long time so you never know! We are driven and open to whatever opportunities come our way! We know one thing for sure, we’re going to continue to design & produce our clothing locally and seek out even more unique things to keep getting fuller and fuller… with more and more to offer.

You started your business 5 years ago and have survived one of the most challenging economic times in retail history.  How did you prepare and overcome these challenges?

With our expansion, we brought in more brands of clothing, jewelry, lingerie, accessories, gifts and most OF ALL DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS! In troubled times like these, people always need a pick-me-up (some shopping therapy)! There’s something here everyone can afford.

Can you give us specific examples of items you’re selling at specific price points?

We have dangling chain earrings, carved lucite rose rings, heart compact mirrors, undies, picture frames, gloves, books, and retro oven mitts for $12 or less. For $25 or less, we have sunglasses, hair accessories, scarves, hats, many styles of earrings and bracelets, tank tops, tees, leggings, wallets, piggy banks, umbrellas, candles, baby onesies, ice cube trays, coaster sets, and eyemasks. In the $45-$100 range, we have dresses, jackets, cardigans, skirts, tunics, tops, blouses, lingerie, shoes, curtain sets and vases.

How is your business doing? What makes it most successful?

Overall, our business is doing great. Of course, we feel the economic challenges but we are offering affordable price points and we get new things almost every day. We genuinely enjoy what we do and are truly happy to be “at work.” We are often told that our shop has an uplifting, friendly, upbeat vibe… we love that our customers leave smiling and in a good mood. Perhaps that’s part of why they keep coming back.

Jewelry and accessories were an important component to Smak Parlour’s expansion.

Tell us about the wholesale business you created while at Drexel University.

Our line was SMAK by Abby & Katie, deconstructed, embellished, silkscreened t- shirts. It was in hip, cool boutiques across the country.

Drexel awarded you the Entrepreneurial Award recognizing your use of education, initiative and innovation to create a new business.  Tell us how they’ve supported you through your venture.

Drexel’s been so supportive of our shop! They awarded us an Entrepreneurial Award and continue to send students our way. Many professors bring their classes into our shop for a meet and greet. We love speaking to eager students and answering their questions.

What role does e-commerce play in your business?

We have a website with gifts, house-wares, baby clothes, jewelry, and accessories for sale. Stay tuned for more!

What’s currently the best selling item in your store?

Our new burn-out tees are hot sellers! They’re great… they come in all different colors, they are $22 and you can layer them on top of each other. They’re long enough to wear with leggings!

Starting a retail boutique business with your best friend (since the age of 15) sounds like something of a dream, but also something that could turn out to be a nightmare.  Tell us how you make the partnership (and friendship) work and how you share decision-making.

Katie – It’s absolutely a dream come true to work with Abby! I can’t imagine doing this without her. We always want to make sure the other one is happy, no matter what, so sharing decisions and getting along effortlessly comes easy to us.

Abby – We never fight. It sounds like a lie, but it’s true.

As store owners, you’re in charge of design, inventory, finance, and hiring. What criteria do you look for when hiring an employee?

Experience, personality and drive are important but, most of all, they should have an interest.

What advice do you have for a student looking toward a career in retail?

You must be passionate about fashion – it’s a lot of hard work and long hours so it requires dedication. It is absolutely worth it if you love what you do!

Valentine’s Day is over.  You bought the flowers, the gifts and shared the romantic dinner. I can’t help but think about a different kind of love – a love for working in retail. What I love about this industry is that it provides a niche for everyone, whether it’s sales, marketing, buying, supply chain or logistics – anyone can find their passion, or love, working in retail.

Some of the industry’s best CEO’s have shared their stories about why they love the industry – the connection with the customers, the challenge of the industry, the theatrics and excitement it brings.  Now, we’d like to hear your story.

Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spencer Gifts, loves how retailing “from Day One got in his veins.” Kip Tindell, CEO of The Container Store, told us he always loved the excitement of retail. “The theater of it. The smile on the customer’s face when you’ve helped her find exactly the right solution for whatever she is working on that particular day.” Glen Senk, CEO of Urban Outfitters, said that retail allows him to be master of his own destiny. “I liked the fact that retailers have control over the products they carry, the selling environment and pricing. I also loved the theatrics of retail. There was a connection to the showmanship I have learned from my days with horses.” Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s, just loves this business. “It’s a privilege to come to work every day and do something I absolutely love to do, even in this very difficult economic environment… I love the challenge because I know our strategy and our organization structure is right and we have the talent to win.” 

We’ll be collecting stories throughout the month of February. To share your story, post a comment below!

We continue the Q&A with Kip Tindell, to learn more about his first start in retail, what he looks for in new hires, and what it takes to advance in the industry.

You began your retail career in high school working in the paint department of Montgomery Ward. How did that experience lead you to open your own store, and how did it shape your view of retail?

I’ve always loved the excitement of retail. The theater of it. The smile on the customer’s face when you’ve helped her find the exactly right solution for what ever she is working on that particular day. We really wanted to create a niche in the industry – and at the time it was putting together a collection of products that helped solve myriad challenges – it was all left up the to the creativity of the salesperson and the customer working together.

What do you love most about the retail industry?

That it’s ever-changing and that we must continue to provide added value for our customers, while staying true to our core brand and business. And the people!

On the flip side…what’s the biggest challenge?

Of course, in this economy the challenge is making sure that we’re providing the experience and value that customers are looking for, while staying true to your brand. Day in day out…it’s ensuring that we hire and keep great employees in retail…it’s all about the people.

You’ve been at the helm of The Container Store since 1978 when the first store opened. Since then, you’ve undoubtedly hired hundreds, if not thousands, of people. What are the most important traits you look for when someone comes in for an interview?

We love to hire a peer to our customer. Someone with great life experience, say sending a child off to college or organizing a business. Great energy, attitude and interpersonal skills. People who love to sell and problem solve solutions for our customers.

Tell me something about your company that most people don’t know.

Hmmm. I bet most folks don’t know that our very first employee that we ever hired still works here. Her name is Barbara Anderson and she started more than 30 years ago as our first salesperson and today is one of our fabulous Vice Presidents of Stores.

Also, I don’t know how many people know that we have an unofficial, internal mascot – Gumby. He represents for us the flexibility you have to have in retail.

What advice can you share with students and young professionals on how to advance in the industry?

Be bold and brave in taking ownership of your training and education – don’t wait for formal training to come your way. Speak up and speak often. Become a true merchant – read, read, read about what’s going on in the business pages and in the retail industry.

Kip Tindell was elected as the Chairman of the NRF Foundation Board of Directors in January. Read the full interview with Kip on NRF’s BIG Blog.

This was my first day EVER in New York City. I came with the University of Arizona’s NYC Study Tour and according to my itinerary, this was the only day I had to explore. We had a jam packed week ahead of us filled with super sessions, networking opportunities, and sponsored dinners.  Of course, I hadnn’t had any sleep the day before my flight (because I was so excited!), and didn’t sleep on the plane. Let’s just say coffee became my best friend again.

Under my motto of “sleep when you die” I thought it was the best decision to drop my bags at my hotel and explore the city as much as possible. That I did. I saw Times Square (very touristy), slightly overrated, but something I needed to check off my list. Then explored a little of Chelsea, experienced the Subway, caught a taxi (on my own!) and passed out knowing that the week of a lifetime was about to begin once I woke up.

Day 2

The first day of the convention was slightly overwhelming, especially being a measly college student in the world of REAL retailers. I attended the Power of Retail Design session which was very interesting because it is an area of study I want to go into after college. It was interesting to hear about the subjects we learned about at school being discussed as real ideas and projects to be implemented into stores. For instance, they spoke about brand imaging, and how to reach the international market.

I also attended David Wolf’s give his presentation on “A New Fashion Perspective.” Can I just say that he is amazing?! I completely agreed with his ideas about rethinking trends. It was so unbelievably refreshing to hear someone speak out against new trends and fashion shows unlike the teen bloggers today that pretentiously gawk over every new fashion line they see. Finally, someone who has credibility to speak about fashion!!  Wolf predicted fashion will have a new emphasis in fabric manipulations, pastel colors, rustic fabrics, and flower prints. It will be interesting to see what happens to fashion in the coming years. So pretty much, I loved his presentation.

Day 3

The U of A Study Tour and I pretty much got to walk to Expo floor and see all the booths. It was a great opportunity to network and get to know retailers and presenting companies. It was interesting, though, because people either thought we were high-schoolers, or other retailers. Obviously, they didn’t read our badges. Some people would approach us and be like “oh the University of Arizona…” and some would mention they didn’t realize that college students attended the convention.  Despite some puzzled looks we got, I still thought it was a great experience for us to meet people who could potentially hire us one day. By the way, I loved the Design Studio. If I come again next year, I will spend all my time there instead.

Day 4

LOVED!! the supper session “The New Luxury Paradigm” with designer Tory Burch and CEO of Saks Steve Sadove. They spoke about surviving the recession and adapting to the new environment to remain successful. It was reassuring to hear that retailer’s have a plan B for their company. This then brings potential to us college students to find a job out of college. Likewise, the feeling of satisfaction spreads to the consumers who get to see their favorite stores still open while the economy takes a turn. I found it funny that there are probably so many consumers who don’t even realize the behind-the-scenes of retail companies, and there I was exposed to it all. The luncheon we attended was phenomenal to be a part of. I was surrounded by some of the most powerful people in the retail world! And I got to meet Terry J. Lundgren…the namesake of our retail school!  Very many 20 year olds can tell people that they did what we did.

Day 5

The saddest day of the trip…we left for Tucson. Flying home made me realize the life changing opportunity I was a part of. It was totally worth missing the first day of school for, totally worth not sleeping all week for and totally worth all the money I worked hard for to attend. I was so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I was given through this trip and the NRF convention itself. The sessions and networking made me realize that I made a great decision to become a Retail and Consumer Sciences major.

Stephanie is a student at the University of Arizona, one of the Foundation’s college partners.

At NRF’s BIG Show, we’ve got a great opportunity to capture “real retail stories,” and help bring retail careers to life for our large youth audience — the next generation of retailers. We’re looking for retailers to talk about their careers with us, in a five minute, filmed interview that will be shared on our Retail Careers website.

Share your retail career story at NRF’s BIG Show.
Interviews will take place Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11-12,
in the NRF Foundation Resource Area (center of the EXPO Hall).

We know attendees have many demands on their time while at the convention, but this is such a valuable opportunity for all of us to show, in real terms, why students should look closely at retail. We hope you’ll join us on the “red carpet area” (no kidding, there’s an actual red carpet), of the EXPO Hall, as we’ll be filming interviews in our “Casting Call” booth on Monday and Tuesday, between 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Have questions? Want more information? Make a comment below, or feel free to contact Sarah Conrad.

“If you are thinking of retailing for a career, look no further!”

We’ve got more great stories to share! This last feature covers students who worked for Sears, Mattress Firm, Tires Plus and Build-A-Bear Workshop. The below excerpts are taken from the university’s newsletter The Retail NaviGator.

Student: Allen Jackson

Interned at: Sears (an NRFF Partner Company)

What I Did: I had the opportunity to work in every department the store had to offer which provided new and unique challenges every day. I worked directly with store managers to help implement new policies and processes. I even had the opportunity to travel to Chicago to interact with high-ranking senior executives including the CEO… I also had the opportunity to present both a competitive and operational analysis. The competitive analysis afforded me the opportunity to gauge my store’s competitiveness within the retail market. Looking both internally and externally, I analyzed the electronics department strengths and weaknesses. With the operational analysis, I had an opportunity to make a difference in the operational effectiveness of the loss prevention department which helped improve both customer service and operational efficiency.

What I Learned: In addition to the general management skills I acquired, I learned the importance of associate relations. I learned the importance of inspiring and motivating associates so they can grow alongside the company. One thing that sets Sears apart from other companies is that they reward those who work hard. An associate who grows alongside the company can literally work their way up to management in a few years.

In Closing: Contrary to popular belief, there is much more to retail then simply buying and selling of merchandise. The entire store works as a cohesive unit in an effort to serve the customer as efficiently as possible. Read the full recap…

Student: Brittany McLaughlin

Interned at: Mattress Firm

What I Did: I trained for five weeks in the stores. In my sixth week of training, I went to Houston, Texas, and trained in their corporate office… Mattress Firm moved me through several different stores during my internship. I even had the opportunity to work as a store manager. While doing this, I gained confidence in my selling and customer service skills. I felt supported throughout the experience.

What I Learned: At Mattress Firm, training varies almost daily. My district manager took a serious interest in me and took me on field trips so I could better understand our advertising and how other retailers compete. I often shared lunch with other area managers to understand more clearly how Mattress Firm works to offer excellent customer service and how the company takes excellent care of all associates.

In Closing: My summer with them has led me to love retail even more. I have huge respect for specialty retailers and how the relationship with the customer is so important. If you are thinking of retailing for a career, look no further! Read the full recap…

Student: Jackie Phanamath

Interned at: Tires Plus

What I Did: I was given more responsibility then I expected in this internship. My manager taught me how to run a store and manage a team. This is incomparable to any experience I could have imagined. I was given full control of the store when it came to marketing and daily operations. I especially enjoyed the entrepreneurial spirit of the company. It was satisfying to see that I could implement changes within the store and see the outcome of my decisions.

What I Learned: I expected my internship with this company to be very challenging because I did not know a single thing about automobiles… Vehicles are a huge investment in people’s lives, so it is important to have knowledge about them. I was teamed up with a master mechanic who taught me what I needed to know to help out customers. With him by my side, I was able to understand the workings of an engine. I performed oil changes, mounted tires and completed test drives. I took this very seriously and worked hard to earn the trust from associates and customers.

In Closing: I learned about my strengths and weaknesses thanks to the real world business experience. Tires Plus helped me fine tune my skills and prepared me for my career. Read the full recap…

Student: Multiple Students

Interned at: Build-A-Bear Workshop

What They Did: As interns for Build-A-Bear Workshop, we focused on promotional events to help drive sales. About every two weeks, Build-A-Bear introduces, or “launches,” a new animal to its wide selection of furry friends. Our job as interns consisted of finding ways to promote these new animal launches to provide our guests with a fun introduction to the new animal as well as to increase our store traffic and sales of the animal. For every new launch we planned, organized and executed, a theme party was held about the specific animal.

What They Learned: With our combined creative spirits, we were able to keep our projects interesting while learning how to work together effectively. We learned the value of teamwork, effort, leadership and communication. Beyond just events and projects, our combined internships at Build-A-Bear allowed us to embrace our inner child to truly make each new animal launch exciting and special.

In Closing: Our internship was a positive, rewarding and practical experience that will undoubtedly inspire our future retail endeavors. Read the full recap…

“…There is much more to retail then simply buying and selling of merchandise.”

Through their internships, University of Florida students were able to see the diversity of career opportunities in retail. Inevitably, they gained a new respect for the importance of sales and good customer service, but they were also exposed to the business side of retail — creating marketing promotions, offering operational analysis and developing crucial management skills.

Great job UF students! We hope that after graduation, you’ll report back and let us know if any lucky retailers hired you!

NRF: You were previously the President of Linens ‘n Things, spending 11 years there up until 2003. You became CEO of Spencer in 2003, and you’ve also spent time with Bloomingdale’s as a merchandising VP. How did you get into the retail business?

Silverstein: By accident, of course, like so many others before me. My family was in the motel business in Daytona Beach, Florida, and every summer I’d work at the motel. This taught me a lot about the attitude you have to have to be a great retailer. When I graduated from college (Cornell University, Class of 1981), I was preparing for a career with Merrill Lynch. I set up a “practice” interview with a recruiter named David Kanal from Macy’s. He hit all my buttons – how store management is the equivalent of running your own business, how retailing is results-oriented…It was just one of those fateful moments in life where you really connect. Retailing from Day One got in my veins.

How did you move up to CEO?

Back then Macy’s had a 13-week training program. I joined 25 other recent college grads (we were called “The Training Squad”) on the same day in the classroom. One of those trainees is my closest friend in life to this day. We learned retail math, we learned about all parts of the organization. I was assigned as a “white flower” (designating me a department manager) at Roosevelt Field Mall in sportswear. I started out on the sales floor, which is the only way you really understand what’s happening in stores. I moved up from there, over the years. Today I still take two trips a month visiting stores.

You’re on the advisory council for the Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative for the Wharton School of Business. What do you look for in new hires right out of college, and what advice do you have for today’s graduates?

I recently spoke about that very subject. We’re looking for people who can articulate why retailing is for them – people who are targeted, who’ve done their homework. With today’s economy, students can start before they graduate and find creative ways to figure out if retailing is a good fit. For instance, Spencer Gifts offers internships. Becoming an intern is a great way to get your foot in the door. Use your network—family, friends, schools. If all else fails, if you really want to be considered for a career at a particular organization, write a letter to the CEO of the company and express your interest. What’s the worst that can happen? The NRF Foundation is also a great place to research the industry.

In your opinion, what is the most powerful characteristic that a retail CEO should possess to survive this environment?

Employees are looking to their leaders to provide a clear way forward in these unprecedented economic times – to help them understand and navigate what they are doing and why they are doing it. It’s more important than ever to demonstrate leadership: communicate clearly what you expect and be open about your company’s performance. Even if it’s tough news, it has to be delivered, told in an honest and open fashion. You have to lead the way.

Read the full interview on NRF’s BIG Blog.

Part two features students who had internships at JC Penney, Macy’s, Target, Walgreens and Dillard’s. The below excerpts are taken from the university’s newsletter The Retail NaviGator. Read on to hear about why interns say that retail is “way more than just checking out customers” and “since I was doing what I love, it simply didn’t feel like work!”

Student: Breanne Greer

Interned at: JC Penney (an NRFF Partner Company)

What I Did: From the first day of my internship, I was told I was not going to be a glorified associate, but a member of the management team. I was paired with a Sales Manager who served as my mentor throughout my experience. I learned everything there is to know about running a department store for one of America’s most well-known retailers. I spent each week in a different department where I became knowledgeable about the different merchandise and lifestyles JC Penney captures with their private brands. I was also able to assist in the set execution for the back to school season and even merchandised the entire men’s athletic department.

What I Learned: I learned that retail is way more than just checking out customers…. At the end of my internship, I was given an assignment to complete a SWOT analysis on customer service, merchandise and store environment for JC Penney and four of its competitors. This assignment allowed me to apply what I learned to determine what sets JC Penney apart from its competition. After I concluded my findings, I made a presentation on them to the store management team and gained important feedback.

In Closing: After my ten short weeks, I knew retail is more than a [cash] register and that it was an industry for me. I am glad I chose JC Penney to get my career started in the retail industry. They provided me with opportunities I would not be able to gain elsewhere and taught me leadership skills that I know I can take with me into my future endeavors. Read the full recap…

Student: Ankit Bavishi

Interned at: Macy’s

What I Did: My training included shadowing almost every position available with Macy’s at the store level. I was very impressed with this because I was able to see how members of the Macy’s team inspire each other and how important such energy can be when serving our customers. Macy’s gives its associates many opportunities to grow in any way they choose. This is a part of the whole concept of “MyMacys,” which is a program recently introduced. I learned how quickly one can climb the corporate ladder in a number of career paths available within the company.

What I Learned: As an intern, I was given the opportunity to explore any detailed aspect about Macy’s; I chose to delve a bit deeper into the company’s private label brands. These brands are important to Macy’s because of the benefits they have for the consumer, as well as the company. My most cherished experience was being able to present my research about the private labels to a room full of executives, including the chief private brands officer (and a former CEO), as well as the regional vice president of Macy’s. I am excited even writing about this!

In Closing: Macy’s offers careers to progressive-thinking students across the nation. Macy’s provides the best in training and really prepares students for growing within the company. Even as an intern at the store level, I was able to learn the operations of a Macy’s store, but I was also given the training to continue to grow with the company. Read the full recap…

Student: Keri Waldron

Interned at: Target

What I Did: After completing my second internship with Target as an advanced executive intern… This summer, my project focused specifically on the training and development of team members… I worked side by side, day after day with associates, because I truly cared about their development. This approach helped in the development of our team. I am so thankful for the time I had with all the members!

What I Learned: The toughest challenge I faced was creating a new culture that emphasizes how important it is for team members to develop enough to be able to do the work of their team leaders. I approached the team with the assumption that being genuine would gain me more creditability and respect than “selling” them on a culture. This was tricky because many of the team members have worked for Target for many years, and in order for me to prove I was not just “the intern trying to be their boss,” I had to work hard to learn my responsibilities and help whenever they needed support.

In Closing: I enjoyed each and every day of my internship. Target provided me a supportive environment where I learned and applied excellent retail practices. Read the full recap…

Student: Michelle Russell

Interned at: Walgreens

What I Did: My Walgreens internship prepared me to run a business. Ten weeks in the role of “Business Management Intern” proved that I had the essential skills needed to function proficiently on the job. The store manager, along with a team of dedicated assistant managers, helped to mold me into a manager in hyper speed timing. I was able to see the gist of the store in a nutshell, learning from my own experiences, and from the guidance of my management team.

What I Learned: I also experienced out-of-store training by visiting other stores to understand how every manager runs their establishment differently based upon what was necessary. This demonstrated the Walgreens policy of recruiting its leaders based on those who display entrepreneurial ability. During my internship, I was privileged to travel with my store manager to Gainesville at the opening of a new store. All store managers within my district came to help get the new store ready for the grand opening. Their knowledge, skills and experiences were apparent in how they directed activity, set the shelves and worked together to create “the perfect store.” The visit was invaluable for me, working hand-in-hand at a store manager-only affair.

In Closing: The greatest part of the internship was the “District Manager’s Ride Along.” It was interesting to see alliances created with other institutions through business relationships. Our DM concluded the session with a nugget of advice: “Never pass up opportunities, be patient and always be ready for a greater responsibility.” Read the full recap…

Student: Jessica Smith

Interned at: Dillard’s

What I Did: My internship with Dillard’s was exciting. I was rotated throughout the store and experienced so much in what seems like a short time! [I] worked in the executive office… home department… with an area sales manager in shoes… in accessories… and ready to wear.

What I Learned: My experience in ready to wear was wonderful! We creatively developed some of the floor displays and brainstormed ways to feature new clothing, follow company policies and make it all inviting for the customer. I helped develop two window displays where I made a case of Antonio Melani merchandise in shades of brown and orange and a Nygard case in shades of black and white. This was so rewarding. I really enjoyed the merchandising aspect. It was fun to be a part of the corporate mentality to ensure that the stores maintain the atmosphere of excellence for our customers.

In Closing: When I was deciding upon an internship, I considered Dillard’s because I have an interest in fashion. I thought retail would be an interesting way to incorporate this interest into work and I was right. Since I was doing what I love, it simply didn’t feel like work! Read the full recap…

Still to come! We’ve got more internship experiences to share. In part three, we’ll hear from students who interned at: Mattress Firm, Tires Plus, Build-A-Bear and Sears.

Below are excerpts taken from the university’s newsletter The Retail NaviGator. This is part one of a three-part series, highlighting UF’s students’ internship experiences. By showcasing these students’ experiences, you’ll see that there’s a lot more opportunity in retail than you may have imagined.

Student: Jillian McGinnis

Interned at: Toys “R” Us (an NRFF Partner Company)

What I Did: I had the opportunity to travel and meet with district managers, regional human resource managers, regional asset protection managers, and local marketing specialists. This was amazing because I got to view different sides of the company and decide which department would be the best fit for me in the future.

What I Learned: The internship program was unlike any I have ever encountered. Toys “R” Us, Inc., treated the interns as if they were actual managers. We were issued the same manual that the training store managers used. While this was intimidating at times, I realized the internship was giving me great experience while helping develop my management and leadership skills.

Top executives held weekly conference calls from the corporate office with the interns throughout the country. This presented an excellent opportunity to ask questions, and seek their advice on succeeding in the world of retail.

In Closing: I learned more than I ever imagined and feel that I developed as a person throughout the summer. I have fallen in love with retail. Read the full recap…

Student: Nia Mallyn

Interned at:Brown Shoe Company

What I Did: While working daily in the Famous Footwear marketing department as part of the Cause and Events Marketing team, I also had meetings with senior staff from other departments within the company.

What I Learned: Developing a field marketing strategy, launching the new national campaign, holding grand opening store events, overseeing creative development, approving radio spots and store events, attending senior officer meetings, and being the sole contact from the corporate headquarters for marketing events held in a thousand stores across the country were among my daily responsibilities.

In Closing: My experiences with the company were truly a privilege, and have contributed to my personal growth and development as a future member of the retailing industry. Read the full recap…

Student:Allen McIntyre

Interned at: Beall’s Department Stores

What I Did: Being part of a management team was an awesome experience, and I found that the key to being a successful manager was not related to having a high GPA, but rather great people skills and being a compassionate, understanding individual.

What I Learned: Every day, I learned at least five things about company policies, business relationships, the retail industry, or life itself. And, every day came a new set of challenges, including solving problems with scheduling, customers, merchandising, and communicating effectively with sales associates.

In Closing: I had a great experience with the company, and I was able to grow both professionally and as a person. If I could offer any advice, it would be to always ask questions, and buy a comfortable pair of shoes! Read the full recap…

Student:Amy Howell

Interned at:Firestone Complete Auto Care

What I Did: I thought I would just be working in a store, learning about how to run it, and managing the sales associates. I didn’t know that I would get to travel to the Southeast Zone Office in Atlanta, Ga., and the Corporate Office in Bloomingdale, Ill….let alone be able to sit in the CEO’s office and visit with him.

What I Learned: Training in different stores under various managers and ever-changing situations has provided me with lots of experience in time management and relationship building. I have realized that developing these skills is crucial in being successful as a manager.

In Closing: Another surprising revelation for me was that I now have a new hobby that no one would have ever realized I would enjoy: working on and learning about cars. I do not exactly come off as someone who would be working in the automotive industry; but that is half the fun. Read the full recap…

Student: Sam Schiller

Interned at: Winn-Dixie

What I Did: The retail internship at Winn-Dixie is unlike any other internship I have heard of. Instead of being placed in just one store, I was able to work alongside a district specialist.

What I Learned: I had exposure to literally all aspects of the organization. I got to learn about store operations and management; I spent a week at the corporate offices learning about the company from several VPs and key leaders; and I was able to visit a couple of the distribution centers to see how they function.

In Closing: All together, my internship at Winn-Dixie was a wonderful and rewarding experience. I am going to be able to use everything that I learned and apply it to all of my future endeavors. Furthermore, it opened the door to a plethora of opportunities in Winn-Dixie, and in the retail field, that I otherwise would not have realized. Read the full recap…

Still to come! We’ve got more internship experiences to share. Stay tuned to hear from students who interned at: Macy’s, Target, Walgreens, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Mattress Firm, Tires Plus, Build-A-Bear, and Sears.