All About Retail: Sales Associates, Management, etc.

apple124 · 20-12-2005

Sales associates in boutiques tend to receive 20-30% on clothing, but do they receive discounts on designer handbags also? What about sales associates in places like neimans and saks - do they receive any discount on handbags such as prada, chanel, lv, etc even if they don't work in the handbag department?

mello_yello_jen · 20-12-2005

I know that SAs at Gucci gets 50% off handbag and I think it was either 30 or 40% off the other brands that are under the Gucci Group.

I heard somewhere that Coach SAs get 40% off.

And don't know about Neimans and Saks, though I was always curious

ilovepositano · 20-12-2005

my barneys s.a. told me she gets 30% on designer handbags...
maybe i should quit my job and work as an s.a.

no kidding, being a good s.a. you can make commissions in the 6-digits per year.

one harvard business school case studies (about incentivizing your employees) talks about a nordstrom shoe saleman who made $400,000 in one year just in commission.

Edna · 20-12-2005

I've wondered that, too! On a slightly different note, are there requirements for being an SA in the handbag department at Saks or Neiman's or something? Such as certain college degrees or certification in anything? I wonder if all SAs in those stores get discounts in all departments...

Erin · 20-12-2005

I read an article on this last week. 40% seems to be the average discount, form what I gathered...

DP_woman · 20-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edna

I've wondered that, too! On a slightly different note, are there requirements for being an SA in the handbag department at Saks or Neiman's or something? Such as certain college degrees or certification in anything? I wonder if all SAs in those stores get discounts in all departments...

There are no specific requirements (no degree) they can give those jobs to pretty much anybody. Ive been trying to get in at gucci, but our boutique is not big, so there's rarely an open position. Ive heard their employees get 40% discount, but if its 50, thats even more reason for me to work there.

And I put in an app at Sak, they called someone for a position in Dior as I was sitting there. I bet that was one happy woman!!--I wished it was me.

Sunkist · 20-12-2005

You don't need a degree of any sort to be a SA, but a lot of times they want previous examples of success/experience in retail, especially if it's a competitive (i.e. high-commission) retail sales job.

pinksatin · 20-12-2005

A lot of it depends on the price-point of the store. I've worked at a few non-designer retail stores and it depends on the company.

Banana Republic: no commission but you get a discount card that gives you 50% off 6 items a month (3 tops, 3 bottoms), 1 pair of shoes, and 3 accessories. Every month. Plus you can buy 5 items at gap or oldnavy for 30% off each month (but why????). Plus for each "roll-out" of new merchandise you get 60% off 3 items from a list. Plus everything else on sale or in addition is 30% off

Abercrombie: I know I know :eyeroll: . 50% off 2 selected tops and one bottom each season plus 30% off everything else not including sale. (Holister is the same except it's 40% and 20% b/c the clothes are so damn cheap).

Now I work at BCBG and we get 75% off 8 items to kickstart our wardrobe when you are first hired. After that you get 50% off everything in the store but no discount on collection. Or sale items.

I have applied to Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom and inquired but I've never worked there. I'm pretty sure you get at least some sort of discount on everything in the store though. I know for sure this is the case at Nordstrom. I think it's like 30%.

ETA: I don't know about other cities, but in Honolulu, you pretty much can't get a a job at any of the boutiques like Chanel or Hermes, or Gucci, etc, unless you speak Japanese. I haven't inquired but everyone I know who works in one of those kind of stores speaks at least some Japanese. You have to to meet the needs of your clients. I'll admit I wish I knew some. It makes a no brainer job like abercrombie difficult when there is a language barrier, let alone a more clientelle-oriented job like BCBG.

mello_yello_jen · 20-12-2005

Nordstrom's and Macy*s SAs get 20% off.

I know for macy*s, your discount can be used in conjunction with any other sales or promotions going on so it adds up sometimes.

snowqueen · 20-12-2005

I get two free pairs of shoes per season, then 5 or so pairs at 50 % off then unlimeted discounts for myself, friends and fammily at 20% discount

I work for dune .. a shoe shop in the uk

iLoveCouture · 20-12-2005

I was a manager at Nordstrom for a few years. Managers get 33% off and on special employee days they get 40%. SA's get 20% and on special days they get 30%. And 3 weeks a year they have a 40% off discount for all Nordstrom products.

I have heard that Sak's offers new hires 60% off to kick start their wardrobe as well...but I dont know what it is once they get settled in. I will ask my friend that works there.

Diorling · 20-12-2005

At Vuitton I was told they get 50 and it applies too all of LVMH, including Dior and the such. I would work for Vuitton if I actually respected them as a brand.

I cannot say what my discount is, but it's extremely generous. What the hell. I get 50% off all merchandise, and 65% off all out-of-season items. So on the 26th all the old fall stuff will be 65% off, yay. On shoes, sunglasses and watches we get 40% off, cause they're licensed out.

Bloomingdales is 20% and for Finlay (who license the fine jewelry in Bloomies) its 50% all fine jewlery, incredible.

I wonder what the discount at Chanel is.

LoveMyBoots · 24-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovepositano

my barneys s.a. told me she gets 30% on designer handbags...
maybe i should quit my job and work as an s.a.

no kidding, being a good s.a. you can make commissions in the 6-digits per year.

one harvard business school case studies (about incentivizing your employees) talks about a nordstrom shoe saleman who made $400,000 in one year just in commission.

I remember reading about that in an LA Times article about Nordstrom and their customer service, but they didn't say anything about discounts.

VainJane · 19-01-2006

I want to work at a Louis Vuitton or Gucci boutique as a regular ol' sales clerk. Do I need experience in the field of sales/design or is it like working at a regular department store? I looked it up on their site but they just said to send your 'application' to NYC.

Any info is appreciated

(If this has already been posted, my apologies

)

seeing_double · 20-01-2006

I had a friend who worked at Marc by Marc and he had no previous experience...

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20-12-2005	10
snowqueen V.I.P. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Gender: femme Posts: 6,319	I get two free pairs of shoes per season, then 5 or so pairs at 50 % off then unlimeted discounts for myself, friends and fammily at 20% discount I work for dune .. a shoe shop in the uk __________________ ♥ ♥http://discoverthebeautyinlife.blogspot.com/♥ ♥ ♥ ♥http://pinkpixielilly.tumblr.com/♥ ♥ Last edited by snowqueen; 20-12-2005 at 04:54 PM.

20-12-2005	11
iLoveCouture catch me if you can Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Orlando Gender: femme Posts: 3,914	I was a manager at Nordstrom for a few years. Managers get 33% off and on special employee days they get 40%. SA's get 20% and on special days they get 30%. And 3 weeks a year they have a 40% off discount for all Nordstrom products. I have heard that Sak's offers new hires 60% off to kick start their wardrobe as well...but I dont know what it is once they get settled in. I will ask my friend that works there. __________________ I wear my sunglasses at night

19-01-2006	14
VainJane fashion insider Join Date: May 2004 Location: Virginia and Seattle Gender: femme Posts: 2,040	Louis Vuitton Sales Clerk I want to work at a Louis Vuitton or Gucci boutique as a regular ol' sales clerk. Do I need experience in the field of sales/design or is it like working at a regular department store? I looked it up on their site but they just said to send your 'application' to NYC. Any info is appreciated (If this has already been posted, my apologies ) __________________ "But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

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20-12-2005	1
apple124 rising star Join Date: Oct 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 177	All About Retail: Sales Associates, Management, etc. Sales associates in boutiques tend to receive 20-30% on clothing, but do they receive discounts on designer handbags also? What about sales associates in places like neimans and saks - do they receive any discount on handbags such as prada, chanel, lv, etc even if they don't work in the handbag department? Last edited by apple124; 20-12-2005 at 12:19 AM.

20-12-2005	2
mello_yello_jen front row Join Date: Jul 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 395	I know that SAs at Gucci gets 50% off handbag and I think it was either 30 or 40% off the other brands that are under the Gucci Group. I heard somewhere that Coach SAs get 40% off. And don't know about Neimans and Saks, though I was always curious

20-12-2005	3
ilovepositano tfs star Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: U.S. and A (in the words of Borat) Gender: femme Posts: 1,942	my barneys s.a. told me she gets 30% on designer handbags... maybe i should quit my job and work as an s.a. no kidding, being a good s.a. you can make commissions in the 6-digits per year. one harvard business school case studies (about incentivizing your employees) talks about a nordstrom shoe saleman who made $400,000 in one year just in commission.

20-12-2005	4
Edna front row Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: PA Gender: femme Posts: 266	I've wondered that, too! On a slightly different note, are there requirements for being an SA in the handbag department at Saks or Neiman's or something? Such as certain college degrees or certification in anything? I wonder if all SAs in those stores get discounts in all departments...

20-12-2005	5
Erin Iowa Girl at Heart Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Los Angeles Gender: femme Posts: 14,556	I read an article on this last week. 40% seems to be the average discount, form what I gathered...

20-12-2005	7
Sunkist front row Join Date: Aug 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 205	You don't need a degree of any sort to be a SA, but a lot of times they want previous examples of success/experience in retail, especially if it's a competitive (i.e. high-commission) retail sales job.

20-12-2005	8
pinksatin trendsetter Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: lying on the ceiling staring at the floor Gender: femme Posts: 1,363	A lot of it depends on the price-point of the store. I've worked at a few non-designer retail stores and it depends on the company. Banana Republic: no commission but you get a discount card that gives you 50% off 6 items a month (3 tops, 3 bottoms), 1 pair of shoes, and 3 accessories. Every month. Plus you can buy 5 items at gap or oldnavy for 30% off each month (but why????). Plus for each "roll-out" of new merchandise you get 60% off 3 items from a list. Plus everything else on sale or in addition is 30% off Abercrombie: I know I know :eyeroll: . 50% off 2 selected tops and one bottom each season plus 30% off everything else not including sale. (Holister is the same except it's 40% and 20% b/c the clothes are so damn cheap). Now I work at BCBG and we get 75% off 8 items to kickstart our wardrobe when you are first hired. After that you get 50% off everything in the store but no discount on collection. Or sale items. I have applied to Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom and inquired but I've never worked there. I'm pretty sure you get at least some sort of discount on everything in the store though. I know for sure this is the case at Nordstrom. I think it's like 30%. ETA: I don't know about other cities, but in Honolulu, you pretty much can't get a a job at any of the boutiques like Chanel or Hermes, or Gucci, etc, unless you speak Japanese. I haven't inquired but everyone I know who works in one of those kind of stores speaks at least some Japanese. You have to to meet the needs of your clients. I'll admit I wish I knew some. It makes a no brainer job like abercrombie difficult when there is a language barrier, let alone a more clientelle-oriented job like BCBG. __________________ Good things come to those who shop. Last edited by pinksatin; 20-12-2005 at 03:02 PM.

20-12-2005	12
Diorling V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2005 Gender: homme Posts: 6,726	At Vuitton I was told they get 50 and it applies too all of LVMH, including Dior and the such. I would work for Vuitton if I actually respected them as a brand. I cannot say what my discount is, but it's extremely generous. What the hell. I get 50% off all merchandise, and 65% off all out-of-season items. So on the 26th all the old fall stuff will be 65% off, yay. On shoes, sunglasses and watches we get 40% off, cause they're licensed out. Bloomingdales is 20% and for Finlay (who license the fine jewelry in Bloomies) its 50% all fine jewlery, incredible. I wonder what the discount at Chanel is. Last edited by Diorling; 20-12-2005 at 11:27 PM.

20-01-2006	15
seeing_double trendsetter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NYC Gender: homme Posts: 1,298	I had a friend who worked at Marc by Marc and he had no previous experience...