Retail Leaders are Experts. There, I Said it.
Stop assuming this profession is "low skill". Nothing is more untrue.
Before we jump into it today, I want to tell you about my latest guide. Since annual reviews are right around the corner, check out my newest edition.
How to Write Impactful Reviews That Matter
This 8-minute read will show you how to prepare, write, and deliver excellent performance reviews, even if you're new to leadership.
“Kit uses simple language and avoids extra jargon. This guide is relatable, engaging, and easy to apply.” - Vaia Mesitsa, Assistant Manager
Okay, onward.
“That’s why you go to college,” he told his daughter. “So you don’t have to work here.”
Um, excuse me, sir. I’m standing right here.
I was helping this young woman select a backpack from behind my cash wrap when the father decided to interject his wisdom - right in front of my face.
My eyes felt like there were laser beams behind them, and I bit my cheek hard. I locked eyes with the cashier next to me. She’d heard it, too.
If this man had ever worked a hard day, it was a very long time ago. He possessed an astounding audacity to make a statement like that in front of me. He also harbored ignorance beyond his wildest dreams.
So, let me tell you a little bit about who retail leaders are and what we do.
Who We Are
We are people from all walks of life.
We are parents, students, and adventure seekers. Some of us earned promotions right out of high school, and some of us have advanced degrees that would blow your mind.
We have a black belt in multi-tasking and in getting shit done. We are scrappy, resourceful, and always have each other’s backs.
We know our buildings and inventory better than anyone, and yes, I’m sure we don’t have that in the back.
The best part of retail is that it brings all these different people together. My retail sister hails from Vietnam, and one of my best salespeople was a tall, skinny guy from the American South covered in tattoos.
I would have never met either one of these beautiful people had I not worked in retail.
Now, let me tell you what we’re doing.
What We’re Doing
We run businesses. Straight up. Don’t believe me?
Do you still think we fold t-shirts all day?
Here’s what we’re in charge of - and this is no particular order, so don’t @ me.
Recruiting
Interviewing
Hiring
Training
Customer service
IT/Tech support
Furniture construction
Scheduling
Merchandising
Business analysis
Loss Prevention
Counseling
Cheerleading
Negotiating
- and more. A lot more. There’s too much to list. Most organizations have one person who handles recruiting and interviewing. When you run a store, it’s only one of the hundreds of job duties that you must juggle.
Did I mention calm under pressure? Did I mention crisis manager? Yeah, we do that, too. I’ve had to evacuate buildings due to fires and power outages. I’ve had to help people injured by heavy signs and wildly swinging fitting room doors.
People have fainted on my shift, yelled at me, and told me I’m the worst manager alive. There was even a snake in my store one night, curled up in between a stack of t-shirts. The poor employee who found it was traumatized. Then, we had to get it out of the store.
We did so, but we were all screaming.
Still think what we do is “low skill”?
“I’m a solo entrepreneur today because of retail.”
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: if you can work retail, you can work anywhere - literally anywhere.
I’m a solo entrepreneur today because of my retail background. I’ve learned how to write personal essays, graphic design, WordPress, copywriting, newsletters, and professional articles. I’m a LinkedIn expert who ghostwrites and edits posts for busy people.
If there’s something I don’t know how to do, I read about it, find a video, or find a person who knows. Not knowing something is not an obstacle. That quality in me is not innate; it comes from retail.
So, carry on retail people. I see you. You’re badass. Keep doing hard things and killin’ the game. Someone has to, amiright?
Based in Southern California, Kit Campoy is a former retail leader turned freelance writer. She covers Retail, Leadership, and Business. Contact her here to work with her.
Looking for the MAILBOX and LEVEL UP portions of this newsletter? They’ve moved over here to my Retail Renegades newsletter. 🤓
1000% Kit! I was born into retail literally ON Labor Day and have been working💪🏽 ever since as has several gens of our family. From our own family businesses in apparel, hats, pets, grocery, auto.. etc… the big and small list of Co’s is LONG
If I could clap for this piece you have written I totally would Kit! Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful view into the world of retail. I love your statement - “I’m a solo entrepreneur today because of retail.” I worked in retail and have a deep appreciation for the skills, heart and passion those in the field share! I love how you described with such empathy and heart who a person in retail can be in addition to the multifaceted skill level it takes. As I sit here in Los Angeles at 1:04am after finally getting my three year old to wind down to sleep - I appreciate your heart to share and real authenticity of "if you can work retail, you can work anywhere - literally anywhere." I also appreciate your transparency of what that moment felt like when the customer had the audacity to make such a statement. Your writing is real and heartfelt and I am so happy I subscribed. Looking forward to reading more of your newsletters to come! Also, great meeting you today during the group call with Tom!