i need help in trying to start a conversation or "talking to them" to my customers /i work in a clothing shop

Question

im not shy or anything, but i just started working at a popular clothing store in a mall, and on my very first day, the supervisor said to talk to my customers (while working in the fitting rooms). i kinda know what she means by that, but these customers keep asking me "what would look great under this sweater?" and 'm like. "uh....... a tangtop?". and in the changing rooms, i see my co-workers talking to the customers about how they look in the clothes, while i have no idea if the clothes they're wearing is good looking or not. i really don't know if people are wearing tight or loose jeans and i dont know how to recommend anything. i just stand and give changing rooms to ppl, but i dont say anything that my co-workers say so professionally. i only say "just let me know if you need any other sizes" and something... how can i improve with starting a convo with the customers? it's just that, i don't know what im supposed to say. i will say something if i know what to say, but... idk what

Answer 1

I know what you mean, I worked retail once. After a while you will pick up experience and you'll feel more comfortable talking to customers.

You have opinions, surely you think something when you see how they look in the clothes. So, just treat them nice, the way you would like to be treated in a store. If they ask, does this make my butt look big (and somebody will ask!) be honest, but tactful/careful. You could ask them, how do those pants feel to you? Just don't learn to lie to them, you'll feel bad about yourself and eventually hate the job also. Spend quiet moments in the store going over the clothes, if you know your stock you can make suggestions. You could say, "Hey there's a really great looking red silk shirt that I think would look good on you, you want to see it?"

The best sales people are willing to serve their customers, to do any polite thing to help them find what they want. If you do that I think you will really succeed at this job.

Working with the public can be really difficult. Some folks act like jerks. They act like salespeople have no feelings. Try not to let them get to you, if they are jerks, it's about them...not you! No matter how steamed you get just don't say it or make a gesture(you know what i mean) :)

Good luck to you. The fact you wrote in to ask for help says something great about you. You are already a winner!

Answer 2

First rule of retail is the customer is always right. If they ask if something looks good on them, say yes. If they aren't sure and they pick a different piece, tell them that it looks much better on them. If the ask what looks good with a sweater, don't just say a tank top, take them to the tank top section and show them how the sweater looks with different tops.

But really, you need to know about every product in the store, and to like what you are selling. If this store is completely not your style, you won't know what to recommend to anyone, and you might be better off trying to get a job at a store that you frequent.