Everyone Should Work in Footwear Retail (At Least Once)

Upon graduating from high school, quite a few years ago now, and wanting to find some work, I had two main options. Hospitality offered the chance to be elbow deep in a murky kitchen sink with wrist-height rubber gloves or, worse yet, a clogged toilet bowl. Retail work meant a chance to sell sneakers for a living, but occasionally dealing with Karen – who, of course, wanted to speak to the manager. The choice was obvious. I cut my teeth on the shop floor of a high street sneaker retailer and, needless to say, it got me to where I am today.

I’m not here to vent about the trials and tribulations of working in an industry that requires talking to a wide variety of other human beings. In fact, this is a case of the exact opposite: everyone should work in footwear retail... at least once.

People Person

The high-intensity, budget-chasing atmosphere of the sneaker shop floor is the most effective way to become better at communicating. You develop a game face for certain situations. While you can use quick-witted banter for customers with a sense of humour, you might have to apply stern, take-no-prisoners rebuttals for those who are wasting time and kicking tyres.

When working in footwear retail, you really are at the cusp of human nature. If someone can’t get a refund, or their size is sold out, they inadvertently provide a true insight into their soul. It’s on you to respond accordingly and brush it off, even if the situation seems open to confrontation. While a level head and solution-seeking attitude can’t be taught – it can be learnt. And they are qualities that will level you up from the shop floor to the boardroom. If you have the perseverance to stick in retail for longer than two weeks, you’ll become a people person, whether you like it or not.