What are your favourite / least favourite physical stores and why?

[nationalsalt]

In terms of decor and aesthetics, customer service, stock variety, fitting rooms etc. - which stores left a good impression and which have been less than positive?

 

[MulletProof]

I'm kind of immune to most spaces if I don't like their products or plan to get them..

That being said, I feel really understood at the Margaret Howell/MHL stores in Paris, it's just so relaxing 🍃 and their staff is the sweetest, always efficient, knowledgeable without being obnoxious, good sense of humor.. I'm kind of intrigued on their recruitment process because.. howdoyouachievethatinparis!! 🗣️ 🫢

Many years ago when I was still a student, I walked into a stunning-looking and now-closed Yohji Yamamoto store in NY, the one he had on Gansevoort, and an SA immediately approached me with a 'GET OUT' attitude looking at me up and down. I don't recall what I was wearing (and not trying to!), but definitely something plain, nothing 'very Yohji', and I always figured that was her beef lol, these were the years of the stylezeitgeist types, peak insufferable millennial elitism. I can't even remember what I asked, maybe something about a velvet piece I wanted to see in person and I remember she didn't even let me finish the sentence before saying 'NOPE'. Before leaving I asked if I could take a pic from the store (the sunset was happening and it looked cool from inside the store- no clothes involved), and she again said 'NOPE'. Anyway, I hope she's doing ok now and doing something she actually enjoys (Rikers officer, checking tickets on trains, uniform enforcer, who knows).

 

[runner]

when you see salespersons (who used to be excellent) being sh*tty laying bare their ego, it's a sign the company is shaky.

yohji talking about agnes b store on the rue du jour in les halles as his ideal

"I also liked the atmosphere of the store. A thick pillar standing in the middle, the products placed messily on the floor. The staff would smoke as they chatted among themselves. They did not show too much enthusiasm in helping customers. Loving this relaxed atmosphere, I incorporated it into the design and the operation of my flagship store in Minami Aoyama, which opened in 1984."

and he actually mentioned how he expect them to behave like.
the wording is subtle. in case one gets the wrong idea due to my poor english skill, I'd like to put that as it is:

WWD：「ヨウジヤマモト」の販売員に期待する接客はあるか？

Yohji：あったし、今でもあるけど、実現していない。青山店を作ったときのコンセプトは「できるだけ入りにくい店」。販売員はタバコを吸っていたりして、いらっしゃいませ、も言わずに感じが悪いのが理想。だって、客はもてなしてくれない方が楽じゃない？入りにくい店だから、ドアを開けて入ったときに勝負が決まっている、という感じにしたい。

 

[MulletProof]

^ I wonder if for someone raised in an extremely polite society that values manners and good etiquette, the opposite comes across as a little punk and refreshing. Enough time in NY or LA teaches you that just a 'good morning' is not to be taken for granted!

At the time, because I was younger and shy, and had never worked in customer service myself and was years away from hiring people who represent a business, let alone from working in fine art (where there really is no dress code OR AGE on potential buyers), I just figured that type of approach when working at a designer store had to come from some kind of strategy that had to be successful in some way (as in, you are strict about how people dress and look so that.. similar types walk in...?). Now I look back and.. no wonder the store closed shortly after! these interactions are never personal so it mostly speaks of poor management.

I cannot stand the queen treatment just so you can finalise the purchase either. Just.. be normal!