Store Story

Tuesday, January 02, 2024

On New Year’s Day, I worked. The store was open and generally dull without many customers. Bright spots were the moms and teen girls searching through our fancy dresses and looking for formal wear. Yesterday reminded me that schools often schedule formal events at the end of January.

I wonder why they schedule formal school events soon after Christmas, mainly because January’s freezing weather doesn’t invite formal wear. Maybe it’s to fill a gap before the beginning of sports season when the kids start focusing on shaping up and competing.

Anyway, today’s teen girls are way more sophisticated than yesterday’s. Some girls modeled formals for their family members and wore skimpy and revealing numbers. Unlike me, who’s learning today’s trends, the families seemed to take what they saw in stride.

Also illustrating more of today’s culture were grandmothers, returning bunches of adorable clothing that had been Christmas gifts for their young granddaughters. The girls refused to wear them and now would choose replacement clothing. Unlike when I was a kid, refusing a gift would have been a one-time mistake.

Retail clothing sales can reveal great customers, too. The management has passed notes from kind customers thanking me for helping them. Some customers I connected with pause and hug me when they’re in the store. And my coworkers are beginning to be less formal and chatting more with me. A sense of growing family helps explain why the large department store continues to have viability.

Dear Friends: Only two more official working days, and I’ll have time off. Diana