Well done to the BBC for putting on our screen entertainment in the guise of Mary Portas as Mary Queen Of Shops, and in particular those related to Charity Shops. Really enjoyed it. I found it very entertaining especially as she tried to inspire charity shop workers and other independent shop owners, and in fact whole high street traders to work together to save their businesses and bring back ‘green shoots of recovery’ commentators are talking about.
Surely we’ve all had enough of hum drum, boring, smelly, uninviting and overpriced charity shops in the high street. Mary (bless her) in the course of the series endeavoured to turn such places into vibrant shops which serve the charities better, by making them more money and giving customers a better and more consistent shopping experience all round.
Every one wants a bargain and the WorkHope family are no different. Not having a regular income means that when we are shopping we want good value and are prepared to look around for it. Charity shops though, are usually high on our agenda whether shopping or for that matter, window shopping. We do however expect better from them.
Primark of course can offer clothes cheap, with the likes of TKMess and Peacocks also competing in this market, but all charity shops have the opportunity to sell quality (second hand) goods at competitive prices and raise their game. Come on guys and gals in Charity Shopland, sort it out! It really isn’t rocket science, most of what happens in retail is based on common sense after all.
In the retail sector, the presentation of stock to customers is one thing, another aspect seemingly absent in a number of establishments is Customer Service. It would seem that if you can find staff with product knowledge, a degree of enthusiasm and a grip on the English language you’re well on the way. A smile and eye contact would be a real bonus! Of course I generalise here, but only to make the point… All this said, it really is worth noting that retail is renowned as badly paid and if you are/ or come across a sales adviser (or is it advisor) who appears less than chirpy and positive in their job, it’s because they are often very poorly paid… It’d bring a tear to the eye if you knew how much they are on…
Back to Charity Shops. Hopefully the days of trays of (pre-loved?) paperback books left in the rain outside a charity shop, and black bin bags of donated crud are over. Let’s all see if we can donate better stuff!
Long live charity shops, their (often) hapless volunteers… Long live Mary Portas, good customer service, genuine and fair deals and increased footfall. Retail Sales Advisers? – I salute you.
workhope.wordpress.com 