I'm looking for a form letter that I can use to send to managers of shops when I've been provided with good customer service. Ideally, I'm looking for something that I can just edit the small details of, like the individual's name, what they did that warranted the letter, etc. Also, if you were a shop worker's manager, what would you really like to know/read in this kind of letter?
posted by Solomon
on May 7, 2013 -
10 answers
How can a small (3-5 employees) brick and mortar/e-commerce B2C retailer survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market (outdoors/sports products) when it cannot compete on price? Any good examples of small companies doing just that?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Apr 15, 2013 -
5 answers
I buy more of a product that is often out of stock. If others do this, won't that tend to make stock fluctuate more? Do retail inventory systems try to damp this effect?
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posted by morganw
on Apr 10, 2013 -
7 answers
I'm moving from one retail job to another. Which is easy, except for the mild emotional entanglement. How do I pull my hand out of the tiger's mouth?
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posted by Ashen
on Apr 3, 2013 -
27 answers
I'm looking for some ways to get the local lunch crowd into our bookstore, which sells used books, CDs, DVDs, videos, and books on tape/CD; a small number of new books; kids' gifts; and other gift items/stationery/cards. Many of our customers don't have much to spend (which works out because our books are priced very low), but nearby is a law firm, a couple of big corporations' local offices, a bank, etc. I don' t know if the employees even know we exist. Any ideas on how to get them in here to pick up a birthday card or used CD or small gift for a friend? We're located in the downtown area of a medium-sized city. There are
very few places to shop in the downtown business area.
posted by trillian
on Mar 29, 2013 -
21 answers
I work in an art supply store. People ask for rolls of tracing paper very frequently, and I'm curious as to what they need them for.
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posted by blnkfrnk
on Mar 11, 2013 -
35 answers
I need help focusing my job search, finding something decent with a degree but very little relevant work experience, and keeping from getting too discouraged in the process.
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posted by seraph9
on Feb 11, 2013 -
10 answers
I was wondering how small retailers (think of a mom and pop sized clothing boutique in a high-end shopping district.) find store managers and associates.
I know that the small retailer can post an ad on craigslist or in the local paper, but will they ever use the services of a local recruiter?
More broadly, can anyone explain the economics of becoming a “head hunter”, whether for a low paying retail position, a typical corporate middle management position, or for an executive position?
posted by otto42
on Jan 16, 2013 -
9 answers
I'd like references and information for how a marketing consultant can leverage his location in a big city to help small retailers who are trying to enter the market.
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posted by drea
on Jan 14, 2013 -
0 answers
In my town, there's a Shell station on one corner of the intersection. On another corner of the same intersection, another Shell. There're also two Woolworths right across the street from each other, and two Pizza Huts. Why? Does anyone out there have any idea? I mean, any ACTUAL idea, not just supposition? Maybe someone who works in marketing, or urban planning? Also, are there any resources I could read that explain these kinds of business decisions? I've looked online and can't find any information. Thanks very much.
posted by staggering termagant
on Jan 8, 2013 -
19 answers
how common or uncommon is it for shops/companies to prohibit individuals from making returns?
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posted by skjønn
on Oct 23, 2012 -
21 answers
A friend owns a children's boutique in NYC. She recently confessed that business has been tanking. She overbuys, she doesn't do any sort of inventory management, she has no online presence (apart from a neglected Facebook page). What advice would you give her?
posted by lgandme0717
on Oct 20, 2012 -
18 answers
My girlfriend has applied for work as a sales associate at two upscale New York City department stores and has been offered a variety of clothing departments to work in at both. She wants to work through the holiday season and to earn as much as she can in that period via commission. Assuming that all departments offer the same rate of commission, can anyone advise us as to which departments would have the highest sales in Oct/Nov/Dec? Or point us to any internet resources with such info? I've been unable to dig up any on my own. Thanks!
posted by laswingkid
on Oct 15, 2012 -
7 answers
Please help me find a boilerplate terms and conditions statement for my new retail website. I am begining a retail web venture and need some terms and conditions verbage. Boilerplate will do. Can someone point the way today?
posted by citybuddha
on Sep 26, 2012 -
2 answers
I'm looking for a web (or desktop at a push) app that will help me track customer special orders.
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posted by dance
on Sep 20, 2012 -
1 answer
How do I get a retail/ food service job ASAP without prior experience? (Limit: 2 weeks)
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posted by ichomp
on Sep 11, 2012 -
12 answers
Which would look better: a four year post-grad gap on my resume, or having worked those four years in a supermarket? Also, ideas for picking up relevant experience?
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posted by seraph9
on Aug 20, 2012 -
13 answers
I have a job that I like (or at least I like sometimes) with a boss who alternately micromanages and is totally hands-off. Morale at the store is really low, particularly lately, as we've had several big tasks to juggle. I need advice on how to deal with it. Snowflake details inside.
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posted by Harry Potter and the Puppet of Sock
on Aug 18, 2012 -
8 answers
At some stores (the convenience store around the corner), the price I pay always comes out to a round(ish) number. Either ending in a 5 or a zero. So that the change I am given won't have any pennies in it. This is convenient for me and the person behind the register. At other stores, there seems to be little interest in getting those round prices. A purchase is just as likely to end in .68 as .50. Why does the consideration of coins influence the pricing of some stores and not others?
posted by Jagz-Mario
on Jul 30, 2012 -
15 answers
Assume I'm starting an e-commerce selling (retail, brand-y stuff) sports apparel and equipment. How should I design the product numbering and barcode system if I want to manage products, shipments, inventory, and warehouse locations?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Jul 20, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm working on a business plan to open a specialty food store. Everything was going great until trying to price out the start up inventory.
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posted by ilikefood
on Jun 27, 2012 -
6 answers
I am looking for a shopping cart solution that specializes in subscription based sales. I have a small product that comes in several "flavors" that I would like to ship to each customer's house every month.
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 20, 2012 -
3 answers
[Career Change Filter] My friend is getting out of retail after 10+ years and has no idea what's next. What jobs do his strengths imply to you?
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posted by Calicatt
on Jun 11, 2012 -
5 answers
How do you branch away from a retail career when that's all you're qualified for? How do you cultivate the passion/resolve to find something better?
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posted by stubbehtail
on Jun 3, 2012 -
9 answers
Help me find some wide, stylish shoes that won't have my feet in agony after long days of retail!
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posted by araisingirl
on May 18, 2012 -
22 answers
Best POS/inventory management for a shop selling a mixture of unbarcoded and barcoded items (i.e. some loose stuff) and wishing to monitor stock levels, produce meaningful reports. Can't decide between Mac/Windows/Cloud...
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posted by dance
on May 11, 2012 -
5 answers
I'm working on opening a retail store. I've done some research on the different POS software systems available, but I want to know what works in the real world.
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posted by toddst
on Apr 21, 2012 -
12 answers
My Toronto-based shop has just received a huge collection of art house, cult, foreign, Criterion, out of print etc. DVDs. For obvious reasons I'd like to turn these over as quickly as possible. I posted to our web site and Craigslist to announce the titles, but what other online places do DVD people gather where I could post this news without it being considered spam? Thank you.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy
on Mar 30, 2012 -
9 answers
I have a couple of friends who were hired at retail and fast food places but have never been put on the actual schedule, even after months go by and they follow up with the manager. Is this an employers way of laying someone off? What is the purpose of hiring someone if you don't put them on the schedule? Any ideas about how my friends can advocate for more hours? Thanks so much!
posted by tessalations999
on Mar 29, 2012 -
13 answers
What sorts of retail stores do you view as healthy and not on a path of decay wrought by the internet? More details inside.
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posted by st starseed
on Mar 26, 2012 -
40 answers
I've had a pre-order with a major UK online retailer for a limited run collectable ornament for a couple of months now, but the 'Due for release' date has been pushed back three times now, allegedly down to manufacturer delivery issues. That wouldn't normally be a problem... but the same online retailer has
exactly the same item (and it's only made by one manufacturer) listed again elsewhere as 'In Stock' - but at more than a 50% markup (£130 as opposed to the pre-order price of £80). Are they doing anything legally wrong here (in UK law), as opposed to just deeply immoral?
posted by timpollard
on Mar 16, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm pretty sure I've found a guitar that was stolen from me at a music store franchise near me. They open in two hours. Any tips on how to handle this?
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posted by MrVisible
on Feb 23, 2012 -
34 answers
Obama SWAG in Chicago---where can I get some fast and in person? Leaving for Ethiopia in a matter of days and I've received a request from someone there for anything "Obama"...t-shirt, pins, posters, etc. But I don't have much time and anything ordered from the campaign store online will not arrive in time (they don't have an option for faster shipping.) Are there any brick and mortar stores in Chicago where I can pick something up?
posted by jeanmari
on Feb 22, 2012 -
14 answers
What are some jobs that are task-oriented but will still make use of my creativity and university education?
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posted by asnider
on Dec 29, 2011 -
3 answers
What online retailers should I use to purchase gifts for my relatives in other states, now that I'm aware of how Amazon treats its warehouse employees and do not wish to purchase anything from them until they improve the working conditions and increase their wages?
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posted by jsturgill
on Dec 11, 2011 -
11 answers
Are there any simple things I can do to burn off a few extra calories/tone up some muscles during my downtime at work without looking ridiculous?
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posted by kittenmarlowe
on Oct 7, 2011 -
12 answers
