Applying for a job at Banana Republic...

[Jovan]

Banana Republic's opening soon here, and I'm applying for it. Just wondering, what's the best way to say that I have a good knowledge and passion for clothing? Problem is, I have no retail experience so I have to rely on the fact that I've just worked with customers before at a grocery store and a pizza place. I do have experience working a cash register, which helps. I'm applying for Customer Service, which I assume is working on the floor. Additionally I may apply for Visual Merchandising/Stock. Any suggestions?

 

[TCN]

Tell them that you can easily teach someone how to sell, but product knowledge and a passion for the product type are tougher to nail.

If that doesn't work, remind them that bricks and mortar clothing retail sales is more about knowledge and personality than traditional sales and marketing. Banana Republic's excellent ad campaign and image (cough, sputter) should already have brought the customer in the door. All you need to do is make it a pleasant experience, provide value, and increase revenue.

 

[Jovan]

Hrm, yes. Thanks.

 

[marc237]

Originally Posted by TCN

remind them that bricks and mortar clothing retail sales is more about knowledge and personality than traditional sales and marketing. Banana Republic's excellent ad campaign and image (cough, sputter) should already have brought the customer in the door. All you need to do is make it a pleasant experience, provide value, and increase revenue.

If you say all that with a straight face, you will have a fine career in sales (or lawyering). Good luck.

 

[Jovan]

Indeed. I'll have to remember all this if I have an interview, too.

 

[Andrew V.]

Originally Posted by TCN

Tell them that you can easily teach someone how to sell, but product knowledge and a passion for the product type are tougher to nail.

If that doesn't work, remind them that bricks and mortar clothing retail sales is more about knowledge and personality than traditional sales and marketing. Banana Republic's excellent ad campaign and image (cough, sputter) should already have brought the customer in the door. All you need to do is make it a pleasant experience, provide value, and increase revenue.

And convince customers to open up Banana Republic credit card accounts. I've worked part-time at a BR for three years now, and during that time the pressure to open up BR card accounts has increased a lot. Ideally, every single customer who walks through the door is supposed to hear the spiel about the card three times: on the salesfloor, in the fitting room, and at the cashwrap. It's my least favorite part of working there.

 

[Dakota rube]

^^^where do you think the largest chunk of revenue growth for BR and most other retailers is? Everyone's trying to add to their bottom lines with pure profit interest income. The toothless hag who checked me out at KMart the other day asked me three times while I stood at the counter if I want to open a Sears charge account. As a close, she said, "You'll save 10% on today's purchases!" My purchase was 2 for $1 Snickers bars and a box of generic lightbulbs!

 

[LabelKing]

Even The Symphony telemarkets these days.

 

[metaphysician]

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

The toothless hag who checked me out at KMart the other day asked me three times while I stood at the counter if I want to open a Sears charge account. As a close, she said, "You'll save 10% on today's purchases!" My purchase was 2 for $1 Snickers bars and a box of generic lightbulbs!

This is likely a K-Mart/Sears company policy. Gap Inc. employs the same strategy; employees are supposed to ask customers if they want to open a Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy account to save 10% on their purchase, and to list other benefits after the first "no."

 

[Jovan]

Originally Posted by Andrew V.

And convince customers to open up Banana Republic credit card accounts. I've worked part-time at a BR for three years now, and during that time the pressure to open up BR card accounts has increased a lot. Ideally, every single customer who walks through the door is supposed to hear the spiel about the card three times: on the salesfloor, in the fitting room, and at the cashwrap. It's my least favorite part of working there.
Thanks for letting me know ahead of time. I've had to do similar things working at two pizza places here in town. At Rigatelli's: "Would you like to make those two slices into a combo?" At Hungry Howie's: "Would you like to add a two litre Coke and Howie Bread to that order?" Definitely not my favourite part either, but I'll deal with it if I'm hired.

 

[itsstillmatt]

It is not a fun place to work, or at least it wasn't fifteen years ago when I worked there. The girls can be cute, and fringe benefits are (were) definitely available, but the GAP is a tough boss to deal with.

 

[Jovan]

I'd be happy working anywhere with clothing just to get some much needed retail experience.

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by marc237

If you say all that with a straight face, you will have a fine career in sales (or lawyering). Good luck.

Wow, you tagged me . . . I'm an in-house counsel who dabbles on the sales side too. You're not a psychiatrist by any chance are you? ;-)

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by Jovan

Thanks for letting me know ahead of time. I've had to do similar things working at two pizza places here in town. At Rigatelli's: "Would you like to make those two slices into a combo?" At Hungry Howie's: "Would you like to add a two litre Coke and Howie Bread to that order?" Definitely not my favourite part either, but I'll deal with it if I'm hired.

Get in the door; when you're the top salesman and a store resource, you can tell them to stick their charge card pitch where the sun don't shine.

 

[marc237]

Originally Posted by TCN

Wow, you tagged me . . . I'm an in-house counsel who dabbles on the sales side too. You're not a psychiatrist by any chance are you? ;-)

Nope, just a lawyer!