Fitting Room Attendants.

Does This Make Me Look…?

“Does this make me look fat?”  We’ve all said it, heard it said or have been asked this question.  Yes, this is why we gals often shop in packs.  Most fitting room mirrors don’t tell the truth, are angled to make us think the garment is a good buy, the florescent lighting makes the color look off…etc.  So, we need a second opinion.  We all want to look our best…we want the trendiest clothes to look on us, as they look on the mannequins, or at least in a flattering color.  Unfortunately sometimes we go to a store on a whim, without our herd of gal pals and instead of figuring out whether or not the garment is right for us, we just buy it or not. 

This is where having a fitting room attendant comes in handy.  Think about it ladies, a person standing outside the fitting rooms…often behind a counter or folding table who can assist you in deciding whether or not that dress is right for you, or if tangerine is your color!  Or here’s another more predictable scenario: You found a skirt that you absolutely love!  It’s perfect to wear anywhere, from the office to girls night out and it’s not hugely expensive either.  It sounds like a good deal, so you grab the size you would regularly grab and head into the fitting room.  You try the skirt on, but it’s too big around the waist.  You have to get your jeans back on, put your socks and shoes back on and go back through the store to sift through the rack of perfect skirts to find a size smaller.  That sounds like a hassle to me!  Yes, it is a hassle and I don’t know about you, but it happens to me all the time.  We as customers shouldn’t have to go through all that just to make a purchase and if you’re like me, you don’t.  Most likely, if you’re like me you leave the skirt in the dressing room and say “screw it.”  I normally figure that I can find a similar skirt elsewhere. 

Another scenario for you managers, CSMs and especially LP managers out there: Someone grabs a bunch of merchandise, heads into the fitting room…this person shoves some merchandise into their handbag, or other shopping bag and maybe decides to wear some merchandise out. 

Now, those trained in LP will know what they can/cannot do in this situation and hopefully you LP people are cringing right now.  Yup, the store just suffered a major loss; a HIGHLY preventable loss.  Now, yes you’re going to argue that as the person stealing the merchandise walks out, the security system will go off.  Not necessarily, those security systems can be bunked if they are not properly maintained, if the customer has certain electronic devices in their hand bag, if a tag has perhaps been left on, the person stealing could exit in a large group and perhaps a security tag was left on in another shopping bag.  Those security systems aren’t 100% accurate. 

One way to provide better customer service, keep customers in your store and to cut down on LP is having a fitting room attendant. 

1.)  Fitting room attendant can assist the customer by getting merchandise for the customer, instead of having the customer do the job of the sales associates. 

2.)  Fitting room attendants can count the amount of items that each customer has going into the fitting room and see to it that it is the same amount when the customer comes out.

3.)  The attendant can help get sales up…”You know what would look really great with that skirt?  These new tops we got in.”  Or they could recommend a pair of shoes and other accessories.  “And what would totally make that outfit would be this great belt!” 

4.)  Fitting room attendants can ask the customer questions and figure out what a customer is looking for.  “Where do you plan on wearing this skirt?  To the office.  Great!”  “To the club?  I think we have something that would be better suited for the club and make you look amazing!”  An attendant can assist the customer in finding the right clothes/accessories for the right time, place and occasion. 

5.)  “Does this make me look fat?”  The dreaded question.  But there is a tactful answer.  “The cut/style really doesn’t fit your body type.  But we have a skirt that would be perfect for you.”  Or “As wonderful a color as tangerine is, I think we have something better that will match your skin tone better.”

Say your store just had a MAJOR sale…the merchandise is picked over and it’s disorganized.  Have the fitting room attendant grab the folding board or the price gun and have them get to work. 

Having a fitting room attendant can help drive sales and cut down on LP.  Trust me, I’ve worked as one with high sales for about 2yrs.  I prefer to shop in stores that have fitting room attendants, because generally those stores have better service.  Fitting room attendants can also help keep fitting rooms neat and ready tried on merchandise left behind to go back onto the floor.