It's the Holiday Season. We're in Florida visiting the kids. I always thought it was the old folks who were supposed to move to Florida. In our family, we got that part backwards. Carol and I have two daughters now grown and on their own. The older daughter is married to an attorney in the Orlando area. The younger daughter recently relocated to Orlando from NYC and is working in retail while searching for a position with a PR firm.
Many dads out there can relate to this: I have a very well developed skill in regards to waiting in malls. Carol says I rate a "perfect." How many men can boast that rating? Many of you will have difficulty imagining me in that role. I'm not typically the most patient person you'll find in a dealership. As I’ve honed that skill through the years, there have been countless hours watching the retail sales process. Also, with and eye toward the design of the physical plant, I watch flow and the structure.
One of my secrets is to amuse myself in deep consideration of the retail process. I was watching with great interest just yesterday as a sales clrk in Bloomingdale’s worked a process they call “recovery.” It’s making sure the hanger’s hooks all turn the same way on the rack. It’s making sure the many details all work together to present merchandise in the best way. There is quite a challenge to keep ahead of the customers mauling the merchandise and let it fall on the floor.
Sometimes, when it’s not bothersome to the workers, I’ll engage them with a few questions. A favorite through the years has been the doorman at Gucci on 5th Avenue in NYC. For many years now, I’ve found myself standing near the front door watching Phil as he press his thumb to track the number of customers with his little silver clicker/counter. Phil is a very positive guy. You might imagine him greeting all those people entering the store with his New York accent. “Welcome. Shoes on the 2nd floor” or one of many directive iterations of his greeting. Aways positive. When I ask him how traffic is when compared with the prior year, it has always been “terrific” or “great.” The store moved a few doors uptown this year to a location next to Trump Tower. This year Phil had something a little different when I asked my usual question. He said, “Lots of people. Don’t see ‘em buyin’ as much.”
The observation I made the day following Christmas in Orlando was similar. Lots of people… they aren’t carrying many bags.” Here’s hoping things break after the first of the year and our new president is inaugurated.