California Apparel News

Stressed-out retail clerks, Freeman Hall feels your pain. The author and former Nordstrom sales associate documented the ridiculous side of sales in his memoir, "Retail Hell: How I Sold My Soul to the Store, Confessions of a Tortured Sales Associate." It was published by Adams Media in September. On the cusp of one of the busiest and possibly most nerve-wracking sales days of the year, Hall shared with California Apparel News’ Trade Talk a few tips on how salespeople can stay sane on Black Friday. It might help the most frazzled salespeople live to retail for another day. Here are Freeman’s tips:

1. Enjoy your Thanksgiving against all odds.

Don't let Black Friday ruin it. Party like its 1999! So what if you show up the next day looking like a bloated, bleary-eyed Retail Zombie. At least you had fun the day before! And your battle-scarred retail soul needs a shot of fun.

2. Be wired, not tired.

Energize your body. Coffee, tea, vitamins, Red Bull, Rockstar,…! Down whatever you have to keep yourself from feeling like a retail slug. The day goes by a hundred times slower when you feel like going to sleep under the clearance rack. I recommend having a bottle of 5-Hour Energy in your pocket for that afternoon slump. They also make it caffeine free, and it works.

3. When Retail hell happens, take yourself out of it.

So a shopper screams at you for 10 minutes calling you every name in the book because the $10 TVs sold out. You need to recharge! Get away ASAP and do your own screaming. Go on a break and head to a back room, outside area, or your car. Anywhere the customers aren't. If your supervisor won't let you have a break – suddenly get sick and need a bathroom break.

4. Joke the hell away.

Humor can make the worst Retail hell moments survivable by changing your perception. Be light and funny, even when the customer isn't. Pretend like you are 8 years old playing in a store. Don't take things too seriously.

5. Stick close to your retail BFFs.

This isn't always possible because we don't get to choose our co-workers, but you have your friends at the store and you want to be in contact with them as often as possible during the day so you can rant, vent, and laugh about Black Friday drama. Plan a fun lunch away from the store. You'll return to work energized (for a while anyway).

6. Call in sick.

The best option of all for surviving Black Friday is to miss it. If you can afford it and won't get fired, coming down with Thanksgiving food poisoning is always a good way to go. Then you can have a day off – a Black Friday in Bed Day!