MEGATHREAD Hang Me (The Softlines Thread)

[Blackhawks54]

E2E has now started to negatively impact my store. I’m at a low volume store. We had an A&A TM who quit recently, and there’s a couple who I haven’t seen in awhile. Not sure where they’ve been since they usually close and I usually open. Today it was just me opening FR, our VM, who was helping with truck, and six people who push truck in the morning. With how they want us to push truck now, that’s the only thing that gets done during the day. And pogs on non-truck days. I pushed as much reshop as I could close to FR. I even had to step a little out of my boundaries today. We had four three tiers of reshop this morning and almost a full z, but it was all sorted. One TM came in at 2:30 to close and helped with reshop for a bit, then one at 4:30. I’ve heard they’ve been trying to schedule more people to work mids, since that’s our busy time. It seems though that it’s not always the case. We’ve been so behind on reshop for about a few weeks now, but it seems like just yesterday we had our shit together. I’m scared to see how this will play out during Black Friday.

 

[sprinklesontop]

E2E has now started to negatively impact my store. I’m at a low volume store. We had an A&A TM who quit recently, and there’s a couple who I haven’t seen in awhile. Not sure where they’ve been since they usually close and I usually open. Today it was just me opening FR, our VM, who was helping with truck, and six people who push truck in the morning. With how they want us to push truck now, that’s the only thing that gets done during the day. And pogs on non-truck days. I pushed as much reshop as I could close to FR. I even had to step a little out of my boundaries today. We had four three tiers of reshop this morning and almost a full z, but it was all sorted. One TM came in at 2:30 to close and helped with reshop for a bit, then one at 4:30. I’ve heard they’ve been trying to schedule more people to work mids, since that’s our busy time. It seems though that it’s not always the case. We’ve been so behind on reshop for about a few weeks now, but it seems like just yesterday we had our shit together. I’m scared to see how this will play out during Black Friday.

Not sure if this is a R300 thing...... but we CAN NOT have 1 single, solitary go-back item at the FR ever. It must, MUST go directly to the floor immediately. No cart of unsorted, no hangbar in the closet, no Z's of go-backs, and no carts of go-backs. Example: A Guest tries on a MSC t-shirt, and decides against it..... hands it to FR TM on the way out of the FR. Now......If the FR TM can't rush that t-shirt back to the floor immediately (while helping other FR Guests, answering phone calls about Fingerlings, and cleaning the coffee spill in room 4) they need to "walkie" another TM to stop what they're doing (Truck push, POGs, PC, Guest Service, etc) and rush, RUSH over to get that ONE t-shirt to put back on the floor.

R300, I beg you to please, PLEASE look at the "big picture"..... not one t-shirt. The inefficiency with this concept is unfathomable.

 

[vendordontmesswithme]

Not sure if this is a R300 thing...... but we CAN NOT have 1 single, solitary go-back item at the FR ever. It must, MUST go directly to the floor immediately. No cart of unsorted, no hangbar in the closet, no Z's of go-backs, and no carts of go-backs. Example: A Guest tries on a MSC t-shirt, and decides against it..... hands it to FR TM on the way out of the FR. Now......If the FR TM can't rush that t-shirt back to the floor immediately (while helping other FR Guests, answering phone calls about Fingerlings, and cleaning the coffee spill in room 4) they need to "walkie" another TM to stop what they're doing (Truck push, POGs, PC, Guest Service, etc) and rush, RUSH over to get that ONE t-shirt to put back on the floor.

R300, I beg you to please, PLEASE look at the "big picture"..... not one t-shirt. The inefficiency with this concept is unfathomable.

This does makes sense to Hq. After all there is only 1 tee shirt on the floor because we can't put more than one out at a time. There more in the back but shelf is now empty for the next guest who needs that shirt.

 

[Blackhawks54]

Not sure if this is a R300 thing...... but we CAN NOT have 1 single, solitary go-back item at the FR ever. It must, MUST go directly to the floor immediately. No cart of unsorted, no hangbar in the closet, no Z's of go-backs, and no carts of go-backs. Example: A Guest tries on a MSC t-shirt, and decides against it..... hands it to FR TM on the way out of the FR. Now......If the FR TM can't rush that t-shirt back to the floor immediately (while helping other FR Guests, answering phone calls about Fingerlings, and cleaning the coffee spill in room 4) they need to "walkie" another TM to stop what they're doing (Truck push, POGs, PC, Guest Service, etc) and rush, RUSH over to get that ONE t-shirt to put back on the floor.

R300, I beg you to please, PLEASE look at the "big picture"..... not one t-shirt. The inefficiency with this concept is unfathomable.

Wow! That’s crazy. My store is R100. Haven’t heard anything about that here but hopefully won’t change to that.

 

[rainy2009]

Is there a general order now from corporate that both hardline and softline need to get all reshop/zone completely done so everyone can clock out?

 

[sprinklesontop]

Is there a general order now from corporate that both hardline and softline need to get all reshop/zone completely done so everyone can clock out?

That's definitely the "goal" now in our store. The A&A Team is going ape-shit crazy getting every single go-back done from the FR and from GS that the zone has gone to hell. And, there is no way that Hardlines will ever get their go-backs done w/ only 1 TM at night.

But it's good to have a goal.

 

[rainy2009]

That's crazy but somehow ironically I found it kinda help for people in my store to really start care about teamwork......Now they finally realize it's not a good idea to let some people standing there just gossip/flirt... And we DO need to help out each other to survive.

 

[RightArm]

And this is why you allow your A&A team to keep more than one size on the floor. I'm not saying racks should be full to exploding by any means but just one size is dumb. Seems you would start losing sales that way when one person has the item in the fitting room that the other person wants to try. Or they get to the point where they think you NEVER have their size in stock. I mean if you have a huge team that can keep up with filling the floor and racing those go backs back to the floor while getting everything done, more power to you. I think for me that would be the last straw under present conditions. Glad I'm not in R300 and hope the crazy isn't contagious. -_-

 

[BigEyedPhish]

And this is why you allow your A&A team to keep more than one size on the floor. I'm not saying racks should be full to exploding by any means but just one size is dumb. Seems you would start losing sales that way when one person has the item in the fitting room that the other person wants to try. Or they get to the point where they think you NEVER have their size in stock. I mean if you have a huge team that can keep up with filling the floor and racing those go backs back to the floor while getting everything done, more power to you. I think for me that would be the last straw under present conditions. Glad I'm not in R300 and hope the crazy isn't contagious. -_-

One size on the floor, is comparable to an Item that has one capacity in hardlines. It is stupid (Heavy Furniture, I can understand, but is still stupid.)

 

[rainy2009]

How's Black Friday like for softline? I guess the main focus for Black Friday shopper is probably for hardline especially electronic but......I hope they don't call me to help out on that because I barely set foot on our electronic department at all... But if softline was slow then they might pull us to help out front lane or hardline I think???

 

[vendordontmesswithme]

How's Black Friday like for softline? I guess the main focus for Black Friday shopper is probably for hardline especially electronic but......I hope they don't call me to help out on that because I barely set foot on our electronic department at all... But if softline was slow then they might pull us to help out front lane or hardline I think???

Be prepared for clothes on the floor and rewraps galore.

 

[lijepaprinceza]

Not sure if this is a R300 thing...... but we CAN NOT have 1 single, solitary go-back item at the FR ever. It must, MUST go directly to the floor immediately. No cart of unsorted, no hangbar in the closet, no Z's of go-backs, and no carts of go-backs. Example: A Guest tries on a MSC t-shirt, and decides against it..... hands it to FR TM on the way out of the FR. Now......If the FR TM can't rush that t-shirt back to the floor immediately (while helping other FR Guests, answering phone calls about Fingerlings, and cleaning the coffee spill in room 4) they need to "walkie" another TM to stop what they're doing (Truck push, POGs, PC, Guest Service, etc) and rush, RUSH over to get that ONE t-shirt to put back on the floor.

R300, I beg you to please, PLEASE look at the "big picture"..... not one t-shirt. The inefficiency with this concept is unfathomable.

We just got word of this yesterday & it's def going to be a difficult change, especially in Q4

 

[sprinklesontop]

We just got word of this yesterday & it's def going to be a difficult change, especially in Q4

Well..... start now ! It is a difficult change that seems horribly inefficient, however, we "strategized" and came up with a way to keep the Team circulating the FR consistently, while doing other tasks, to keep the FR clear of go-backs. So far it's working. But, now, the overall "zone" in each area is suffering, because we've shifted our priority. We'll have to "strategize" a little more to get our zoning dialed in better. Live and learn.

 

[lijepaprinceza]

Well..... start now ! It is a difficult change that seems horribly inefficient, however, we "strategized" and came up with a way to keep the Team circulating the FR consistently, while doing other tasks, to keep the FR clear of go-backs. So far it's working. But, now, the overall "zone" in each area is suffering, because we've shifted our priority. We'll have to "strategize" a little more to get our zoning dialed in better. Live and learn.

what process did you guys come up with to handle tasks while circulating the fitting room?

 

[sprinklesontop]

what process did you guys come up with to handle tasks while circulating the fitting room?

Our FR became the epicenter of everything ! We staggered the TMs shifts, so as soon as a TM clocks in for their shift, they collect any go-backs and put them away.... then they begin their tasks in whichever dept they work in. Then the next TM shows up for their shift, they grab go-backs and begin their tasks. Next TM, etc.....
At some point during your tasks, you may need to get "something": whether it's the VMG, or a fixture/face-out....Whatever it is..... circulate the FR and collect go-backs along w/ the "something" you set out for.
If you're helping a Guest in your department, if applicable... walk them to the FR and, guess what? collect your go-backs while you're there.
Your FR TM needs to be quick getting the merch "floor-ready" again because someone will be circling the FR and needs to quickly grab whatever is available. There's absolutely no "down time". Keep circulating as often as possible. Eventually, it will become the "norm". Yep.... this sounds a little ridiculous, repetitive, and exhausting ( especially if you're short-staffed)....... but so far it's working for us. Fingers crossed.
Good luck....

 

[Ahem]

That's crazy but somehow ironically I found it kinda help for people in my store to really start care about teamwork......

The key to teamwork is having a team to begin with. My stores sl team is so small. And based on the list of hiring needs, it ain’t getting much bigger in the near future.

 

[Doglover89]

I'm sitting here laughing because we are so short staffed we don't have even anyone in the fitting room, unless its a weekend. And even then usually only in the mornings. If that.

 

[sprinklesontop]

I'm sitting here laughing because we are so short staffed we don't have even anyone in the fitting room, unless its a weekend. And even then usually only in the mornings. If that.

I actually thought about your situation A LOT as I was posting the "empty FR scenario". We're lucky to have 5-ish early TMs pushing truck; and then another 3-4 as mids; and then usually 3 to close. Obviously, the staffing will grow w/ more trucks and extended hours. You're Leadership needs to figure out staffing ASAP....... Q4 won't be manageable without a Team. Ever.

 

[RightArm]

So, I finally found the sign holder that sits on the front of the movable wall entirely by accident today. We received new boxes of these following the remodel but as they were signs we used to use in intimate apparel and in jewelry to hold 7x11s I didn't think anything of it. And so, the mystery is solved. Hopefully the picture can be viewed easily enough. Had to reduce it to GIF to get it to load.

 

[RightArm]

I'm sitting here laughing because we are so short staffed we don't have even anyone in the fitting room, unless its a weekend. And even then usually only in the mornings. If that.

Saw an army of new hires for orientation. Seriously hoping SOME of them are ours and that they're good.

 

[beachlover]

We haven't started the only one item in our store and am hoping we won't as our guests will be ringing call buttons and asking us to fetch their size, usually for multiple items. We have too much volume for this to be workable.

As far as immediate return - lol lol lol. We never have just one t-shirt to go back. Most guests bring 8-10 items to the FR and during busy times, you have 6-8 guests in the FR at the same time. That's 60 items for the FR operator who is greeting and escorting guests and answering the phone to fold and/or hang for immediate reshop. No can do, especially for SL staff who is backing up cashier, pushing trucks on the floor, etc. Right now our staffing, especially in closings is 1 FR and 2 on the floor. The team is short multiple players.

I may be spending more time on the beach any day now......

 

[sprinklesontop]

We haven't started the only one item in our store and am hoping we won't as our guests will be ringing call buttons and asking us to fetch their size, usually for multiple items. We have too much volume for this to be workable.

As far as immediate return - lol lol lol. We never have just one t-shirt to go back. Most guests bring 8-10 items to the FR and during busy times, you have 6-8 guests in the FR at the same time. That's 60 items for the FR operator who is greeting and escorting guests and answering the phone to fold and/or hang for immediate reshop. No can do, especially for SL staff who is backing up cashier, pushing trucks on the floor, etc. Right now our staffing, especially in closings is 1 FR and 2 on the floor. The team is short multiple players.

I may be spending more time on the beach any day now......

Oh, trust me..... we NEVER have just one t-shirt either ! When our GTL and DTL walked the store recently, that's how they explained the new process. Maybe in hopes of "minimizing" the extreme change in procedures. Ultimately, they want no pile-up, no backlog of merch in the FR (or at GS). The Guest can't buy it from the FR ( or the backroom, but that's another post entirely)...... and the SFS Team can't access the merch quickly either. One good thing that's coming out of all this...... if you had a "lazy" TM before? You won't have one now. The hustle is real.

 

[RightArm]

Oh, trust me..... we NEVER have just one t-shirt either ! When our GTL and DTL walked the store recently, that's how they explained the new process. Maybe in hopes of "minimizing" the extreme change in procedures. Ultimately, they want no pile-up, no backlog of merch in the FR (or at GS). The Guest can't buy it from the FR ( or the backroom, but that's another post entirely)...... and the SFS Team can't access the merch quickly either. One good thing that's coming out of all this...... if you had a "lazy" TM before? You won't have one now. The hustle is real.

That last part is not necessarily true. What we end up having is more HATE for the TMs who are lazy as the hardworers hustle and kill themselves to make up the slack. I have a couple of lazy idiots they newly hired whom I cannot get to stay in the area/job I placed them. They constantly gravitate toward one another to socialize and pretend they are working and I have to keep an eye out when I don't have time for that with all I have to do. One of them KNOWS how to talk to the higher ups and so they think she is golden and the other I'm not sure about yet. But the heavier the workload the MORE the team hates these people. It creates discord on the team rather than insuring every TM hustles. And when you're short staffed, your admins aren't going to fire them until season's end at the very least. So Merry Stressmas....

And I apologize @sprinklestop if that seems obnoxious toward you. It wasn't meant to be. Obviously you've been blessed with a golden team. Make sure they know how awesome they are and how appreciated. You don't want to lose any of them.

Edit: I suppose in hindsight that makes for a tight team with the hardworking SLTMs... united in HATE? lol Just wish there were more of them. lol

 

[Doglover89]

I actually thought about your situation A LOT as I was posting the "empty FR scenario". We're lucky to have 5-ish early TMs pushing truck; and then another 3-4 as mids; and then usually 3 to close. Obviously, the staffing will grow w/ more trucks and extended hours. You're Leadership needs to figure out staffing ASAP....... Q4 won't be manageable without a Team. Ever.

Right now most days its 1-2 for truck. Then 4 closers. A mid if we're lucky. All we're hearing is that hours will be cut, so I doubt there will be many changes made.

 

[sprinklesontop]

[QUOTE=".....And I apologize @sprinklestop if that seems obnoxious toward you. It wasn't meant to be. Obviously you've been blessed with a golden team. Make sure they know how awesome they are and how appreciated. You don't want to lose any of them. l[/QUOTE]

No hard feelings !! E2E is hard enough when you don't have enough TMs (or enough good ones) and now we have this H U G E change to the FR process; it's incredibly challenging. Leadership needs to make staffing a priority..... maybe they need to go recruit. The minimum wage is going to tempt potential candidates they may be working for other companies. Leadership should be looking to steal TMs from a lot of the companies that are closing their doors.

And yes...... I am unbelievably blessed w/ a great team. While they aren't technically "mine"..... I've been side by side w/ most of them. They are dedicated, committed, bright, fast, and fun to work with. They know I appreciate and respect them GREATLY !