Okay, I admit it. I eavesdrop.
On consignment, resale, and thrift shopkeepers from everywhere, who sell everything, on every level of the economy, from shops whose sales go from $10 a day (YES! They’re out there!) to those whose sales are in the multi-millions a year.
And you know what the difference is?
Shoptober or Sucktember
That’s it. Simple as that. How well a shop not only succeeds financially, but makes its owners, managers, staff/volunteers, community and most of all its clients (donors, consignors, sellers, browsers, buyers) happier to be boils down to
the attitude of the business…
which in 99% of the cases, means the attitude of one woman or man, standing in their shop, thinking of a bad month as Good riddance Sucktemper or Hallelujah, welcome to Shoptober!
Now some folks find my industry guidance a bit too Pollyanna-ish for their tastes. And that’s okay, hate me for my positive, lemonade-making qualities. That’s okay. I know you’re never gonna hate my for my cute butt, which I haven’t had since I was 4. But enough about me.
How about you? Is your attitude more Shoptober or Sucktember?
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Your attitude is very important, not only in front of your customers but you also serve as the example to your employees. Even if sales are dismal, when someone asks, you always say “It’s great!”. No one wants to shop at a place where things are depressing
Hi Kate – I agree shopkeeper attitude is vital. It’s a little harder to communicate with people these days come in wearing headphones and don’t even want to say hi!
But the main ingredient to success, in my opinion, is the best location you can find.
Well, our shop was flooded so we were closed the entire month. It was kind of rotten! But heck, we got a beautifully new looking shop out of the deal and we’re hitting Shoptober running! Yay for Shoptober!
I love the term Shoptober 🙂 is it copyrighted Auntie Kate?
I’m definitely more of a Shoptober kind of gal. I might not always have the best attitude, but I do try. I learned from the best of the best (NARTS members) that it is MY attitude that makes or breaks my business. It’s pretty simple really.
Yeh Jules, NO ONE likes to deal with shopkeepers who have bad attitudes.
Can you believe I just heard from a consignment shopkeeper that she HATED holiday weekends b/c the tourists/ visitors etc didn’t understand her pricing system (methinks if it needs “understanding” it might be a major obstacle to success!) or her shop layout (ditto)? Can you believe that attitude? Newbies/ one-timers/ visitors are to be CHERISHED (they buy the stuff the regulars are tired of seeing) and CULTIVATED (they’ll be back and they’ll spread the word!)
I think the shopkeeper who hates holiday weekends is not enjoying her business any more. That’s a shame. It’s supposed to be fun, not work. I think if you have that attitude, your customers feel that way coming and that’s why they want to keep coming back.
Alaskan Dames is more Shoptober!!! While sales aren’t as wonderful in September, we are gearing up for October with getting the pack-a-ways out and getting our shop ready for the shopping that will come!
Hi Lisa, long time no see! I’m sure things are going great for you, and of COURSE you’re a positive-attitude shopkeeper!