Archived Dreaded Shoes

[jayhawkmom]

Hey guys help me understand something. I agreed to take the store brand position for shoes and everyone from STL on down is thrilled because no one wanted to do shoes and it is a mess. This week I was scheduled all week in shoes to begin getting it back in shape except I just viewed my two week schedule and am only scheduled two days in the next two weeks in shoes! What's up? How am I supposed to make anything happen with that kind of schedule?

 

[isthatathing]

Honestly probably a lack of understanding of how much upkeep shoes needs. I know when we switched to VMGs for shoes, the SMF (Shoe Merchandising Flexibility) guide said that a shoe brand team member is recommended now if stores didn't already have one. Also stated to schedule them at least 20 hrs a week for shoes. I'm at a high volume store. We always have a lot of shoe inventory. Like. All our men's shoes are in men's (not a 2.0 store) and we still have plenty of backstock for kids and women's shoes.

We had to beg to get just 8 hrs a week of actual attention in shoes. Which is just frustrating because shoes is one of those department where a great zone helps sales SO much. I see guests just "NOPE" out of a wrecked aisle all the time. And it's so much worse now that Plano doesn't touch shoes.

 

[HRZone]

Actually with the new AA model there will no longer be brand team members. It used to be your shoe brand made a little more than everyone else. In the new model every AA TM is getting am equal raise of 50 cents except for the brand who is only getting 25.

Some stores are still having someone own shoes but why take such a crappy area for the same pay as everyone else

 

[Badjedidude]

I honestly couldn't tell you if we have a TM solely (har har) dedicated to shoes.

As far as I can tell, our softlines TMs own shoes. Which is tough, because by the end of the day, those aisles are a war zone.

 

[BoxCutter]

Target used to have a Shoes Specialist position. I can not tell you how many people had that position and literally just got so fed up that they up and quit and walked out the door never to be seen again.

The few extra cents an hour couldn't help them hold onto their sanity.

You are a brave person, Jayhawkmom.

 

[sprinklesontop]

We have a Shoe BTM that also covers Handbags/Accessories. She works approx 32 hours a week... 3/4 of that is purely shoes. We are successful in the E2E process in Shoes because she is sooooo dedicated. She pushes her truck, sets her own pogs, does her own PC, does her own backstocking, her zoning is perfect.......and she is amazing w/ her Guests. The shoe department has never looked better, and our business number show it !!! Oh.... and she's also a Team Trainer. Luuuuuuv her !!!!!!!!

 

[RightArm]

Hey guys help me understand something. I agreed to take the store brand position for shoes and everyone from STL on down is thrilled because no one wanted to do shoes and it is a mess. This week I was scheduled all week in shoes to begin getting it back in shape except I just viewed my two week schedule and am only scheduled two days in the next two weeks in shoes! What's up? How am I supposed to make anything happen with that kind of schedule?

Approach your leadership with the same exact question. They told me they were going to put me in shoes for 4th quarter last year (I used to be a "shoe specialist") and I responded that I'd only go if they let me do it my way. Otherwise I wasn't going. They agreed and all of fourth quarter all my hours were spent in shoes. I got the dept reorganized and to POG/VMG and by the end of Christmas we had not one shoe box in the backroom. Sales were up (as others have pointed out that it will do when shoes is taken care of) and we had a good fourth quarter. You need to have a serious conversation with them about what it takes to maintain that dept and if they don't want to give you the hours that it's not going to be kept to the level they want.

To be fair and honest I love the shoe dept WHEN I am given the proper time to maintain it and contrary wise I HATE it with a passion when I'm NOT given that time. It really isn't the "dreaded shoe dept" when it is properly maintained and with regular upkeep it's fairly easy to keep it organized. Outside of that it's a cluster f*ck if you know what I mean.

 

[jayhawkmom]

Thank you for the reply! I agree and I did talk to my ETL about exactly what you said - he is checking on the schedule - we will see how serious they are about the department. Did you request sales numbers for the department? I would love to see them...

 

[RightArm]

I didn't ask, but the TL printed it out and showed it to me in conjunction with the whole "you're doing a fabulous job over here!" speech. By all means, nothing wrong with asking and it shows you have a vested interest in seeing the dept succeed.

 

[sprinklesontop]

Thank you for the reply! I agree and I did talk to my ETL about exactly what you said - he is checking on the schedule - we will see how serious they are about the department. Did you request sales numbers for the department? I would love to see them...

I check sales every week, and share each TMs wins and opps for their department. As for Shoes, we ended the Month of Sept at a 37% comp to LY; ranking us in the top 10 for the Group. If you want some amazing proof for your store leadership, share this with them: about 3 months ago, my TM was 38th in the ENTIRE company with a 60% spike in comp to LY. My TM is awesome..... she gets ALL the credit !!!!!! Without a doubt..... the Shoe Department NEEDS zoning, filling, and constant attention to succeed.