Has anyone worked for retail before, like a grocery store?

[Louis-Deger]

There’s this grocery store I’ve been trying to get hired at, it’s a place I would really like to have an opportunity to work at in my life. I may have to work weekends and holidays, but I’m willing to do that, it’s an overnight job I’m wanting to do there. But from what I’ve heard, retail isn’t for everyone, but just because someone’s never worked for retail before doesn’t mean they can’t have that opportunity, right? Because at one point in everybody’s lives, nobody’s worked for retail before. For anyone who works in retail or a grocery store, can you tell me your experience? What all have you done working in retail or grocery stores?

[FunkyMonkee]

Yes, at least 3 of them. 5 or 6 if you count record stores, I've also worked at a toy store and a dept. store.
As for the grocery stores, I worked at a food co+op stocking shelves, I worked at a Giant Eagle stocking shelves overnight, at the 7-11, I ran the cash register. Once you get the hang of it, it's not hard. Probably easier, today, because you mostly just have to run things over a scanner! I had a large rack of buttons on the register and had to learn which ones to push at which times. Eventually, they had me work graveyard by myself! Sounds easy but, we were ON the campus of a major university and there were dozens of bars in the area!! So, once the students got juiced up enough, they'd all go back to their dorms right next door and would have to stop in and grab a late night snack before crashing! So, from about 1:00 to at least 3, there was a line around the store!! Luckily, I was pretty fast so, nobody stood in line in one spot for very long. Each student only took a minute or two to deal with and 80% of them just wanted Marlboro lights in a box! If I saw they had nothing else in their hands but money, I knew they just wanted the fags. They were amazed at how I knew what they wanted before they even asked.
From about 3:30 onwards, it was cruise time until the morning people came in for their coffee & donuts but, that crowd wasn't as large as the late night crowds. Wed. nights, we'd get a new shipment of our stocks in around midnight so, I'd have to get that dealt with between customers and after the student rush.
At the toy store, I just priced and stocked, mostly in the basement.
At the dept. store, I'd just go from section to section collecting everything customers wanted delivered so I could take them to the delivery area.
At the one record stores, they only hired me to help them do inventory twice a year, usually when the store was closed. At the other record store, I just sat on the third floor at the counter cleaning and playing used records and helping any customers that needed it. As that was the comedy, country and international section, I never got that many customers and most just came in to look around.
At nearly every job I ever had, I didn't exactly know what I was doing until they showed me what to do so, even if you go in blind, they'll show you. Although, in one job, they just EXPECTED ME to KNOW what to do and would get pissed if I did nothing or had to ask them what they wanted me to do!

[In_Trance]

The reason people talk shit about retail jobs is because you have to deal with customers.
You have no idea the level of stupidity that exists in this world until you've worked retail.
If you're doing an overnight job you eliminate that. But it is repetitive boring work that never ends.

[MinnieMousse]

I’ve worked in retail before, and the biggest piece of advice I would say is don’t be easily offended and try to have a positive attitude as much as you can. You’ll meet some ridiculously obnoxious and mean spirited people, and you can’t let it get to your head.

[legalboxers]

A&P - 1 week
Radio Shack - 4 years
Gateway Computers - 4 months 2 days
Target (Security) 90 Days

[zombiewoof]

It is hard word, you must be able to work in and with the public if the store is open when you work, they are the reason you have a job

[Booklover_90]

Yes I have.

[Booklover_90]

Develop thick skin. You will encounter some INCREDIBLE rude people and you have to learn to let it roll off your back.