C'est George!

Salut!  Today we look at a true veteran of retail, asking him questions that demand insight into the life of a passionate retailer.  This model, actor, and abid coffee lover explores these basic but neccessary questions chucking some poignant and interesting shit amongst the lot.

Qui êtes-vous?

"My name is George Vause (long story but my real name is Anthony on my passport)"

George Vause

Que faites-vous?

"I work for Black Box Boutique in Grey Lynn, I have been working in retail for close to 10 years… I'm an oldie"

Dead and Stuffed Duck at the Black Box in Grey Lynn

Moments choisis au hasard au travail?

"Hmmm random moments ahhh I remember a few, the first was when Robbie Williams came to town (Wellington) and had his concert, we pretty much sold out of every dress we had instore. Ladies were buying up everything they could find, that day sales-wise was bigger than any Christmas eve or sale day we ever had…

I also remember a customer looking around our store I had a brief conversation with him and as he was leaving he fell to the ground, he was having a seizure it was crazy to watch. Me and another worker put him into the recovery position and called an ambulance but he got up looking at us really confused and disorientated… He walked off despite us trying to get him to stay… About a month after he applied for a job and was a permanent staff member for about four years, after all that.

Lastly, I was working in London at a store on Newburgh St (off Carnaby St). Retail in London's very different, the pay sucks and Londoners hate retailers especially foreign ones. Usually I'd get some kind of angry customer who didn't want a bar of anything I did or said which sucks especially when your in a store on your own for hours. So when I got over it and decided I didn't want to work there anymore, I rang my boss and asked him when I was next on, but instead of confirming the days he had me doing I just said I couldn't work them. I basically told him I couldn't do any days at all, he was like oh ok and I said thanks, and that was that."

Pourquoi détail?

"I love working in a store where the ethos of that store is about an experience, customers can walk in and not feel pressured. The environment is relaxed, the clothing is detailed and beautiful. The fundamentals for retail is relationships, this should be evident in the way we serve people. Customers shouldn't be seen as a target or statistic. There was a time when people went that extra mile for their customers but that seems to be lost now to fast forgetful service. I like that idea of a concierge who does everything for his clients and by going that extra mile creates a relationship with them, that has longevity. Retail should always be an experience shared and an opportunity to exhaust every possibility for a customer. It just makes sense because our survival is based on our customers, so why wouldn't we treat them well?"

George's favorite brand - Vanishing Elephant

So there it is folks, notre ami George Vause.  Be sure to swing by and visit him at the Black Box Botique in Greylynn, as I'm sure he'd love to chat.

Merci!

voila, c'est notre ami david.

This is our friend David.  Davie came around today looking all sharp and what not with his buttons done up all the way.  So we decided to take him down a secluded ally way, take some photo's and find out some more info on him.

what do you hate Davie?
turns out he hates shitty drivers, people throwing away perfectly good meals, and the un-popped popcorn pieces at the bottom of the popcorn bag.  

have you had any criminal convictions or charges pressed against you?
ironically he lost his license for 6 months about half a year ago for speeding and running through stop signs. He also used to spend frequent time in court in 'thuggin' days. 

random fact:Davie has been stabbed before.  With humor he explains how it was extremely painful and hopes never to be stabbed again. 

Where do you shop?
Davie's an avid op shopper, he's always down for the latest bargain, or in organic day, but if he's feeling real class he says he'll give any of the shops along high street a shot.

With anger in his eyes, and his top button done up, he almost looks like an agro Brittish football firm follower - et nous pensons <<c'est tres cool!>>.