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SPARK Voices: Re-Tales from Retail |The Girl in the Red Dress
SPARK Voices: A Story From Retail Re-Tales
A personal series from the world of luxury retail
The week before Christmas, my No. 1 customer entered the store I managed at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 57th Street.
As he browsed, he stopped at the jewelry collection where a blonde, coiffed mannequin was seated on top of the counter. I said:
“Let me move her, Mr. Jacobs.”
“That’s OK … how much is the dress she’s wearing?”
“That red chiffon dress is perfect for Christmas. The price is $3,500.”
“And the shoes?”
“The scarlet satin stilettos are $1,500.”
“And the necklace and earrings?”
“They come as a set for $5,000.”
“I’ll take everything … including her.”
“I’m sorry … ?”
“Include the price of the mannequin in the total. Pick her up and carry her out to my limousine waiting in front of the store. My driver will help you.”
A Call From the Office
The following week, his secretary called me to say:
“Randy, I want to thank you for recommending Linda, our new executive employee. She’s seated on the sofa directly across from me in a beautiful red cocktail dress.
“I told Mr. Jacobs that business attire would be more appropriate for her, so would you please select a daytime ensemble and send it to us? Oh, and Mr. Jacobs told me he showed her the city last week and even took her to La Grenouille for dinner.”
The Only Possible Retail Response
My retail response, without pausing:
“Shall I use the same black American Express card on file?”
