March Shop Talk

 

Hello Uplift Thrift, My name is Austin Robertson, and I am honored to be stepping in as the new manager of this wonderful organization. For those who don’t know me, I come from TJ Maxx, where I spent nearly five years serving as an Assistant Manager. While I truly enjoy retail, what I value most is working with people. I will especially miss the incredible team I had the privilege of leading. For a long time, I thought I would become a school teacher, and I believe that passion for guiding, supporting, and encouraging others has shaped my leadership style. I’m not a micromanager, and I’m not unreasonable. I strive to be professional, fair, and clear in expectations — and I do have a vision for where we can go together. On a personal note, I am widowed, so it’s just me and my dog, Lola, at home. I also help care for both of my parents, which is something I consider to be a blessing. Community means a great deal to me, and I am so excited to build something meaningful alongside all of you. I look forward to what we will accomplish together. — Austin Inventory & Sales Inventory is in full swing right now, with many boxes already marked and sent to storage. If you have any questions in your area about this, please ask me or Emily. In the short month of February, the shop brought in an incredible $70,165! Even more exciting — sales are up 4.8% compared to last year, and that's because of you. Whether you’re working behind the scenes, merchandising the sales floor, or assisting guests at the Hold table, every role matters. We have an exceptional team here at Uplift, and I couldn’t be more impressed or grateful. As Stephanie Hatton-Ward so perfectly said, “I know our sales are great, but more importantly, I’m happier about the fact that we were able to work as a team to accomplish this. The money that goes back into the community helps thousands.” That’s the real win. What we do here doesn’t just stay within these walls — it reaches families, children, and neighbors throughout our community. If you would like to see our programs in action, I encourage you to attend an Associates meeting, held on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. And as summer approaches, School Kids will need volunteers to help organize clothing — consider giving a day to support their program and see firsthand the difference you’re making. If you are interested in attending, please make sure to tell Stephanie. Cashier & Sales Floor Training I’ve had a few people express interest in learning more about the registers, the jewelry cases, and the sales floor area as a whole. I’m excited to support anyone who wants to grow their skills and confidence up front. I will be hosting Sales Floor training at 10:00 a.m. on the following mornings: March 19 & March 26.  Pink Bag Day & Dues In preparation for this Saturday’s color pull, tomorrow we will be celebrating with a Pink Bag Day! This is the perfect opportunity to invite our amazing customers to come shop ‘til they drop. Also, "Dear Members, It's time to pay your dues for 2026 - 2027 Uplift Community Alliance membership. Membership lapses if dues are unpaid on June 1, 2026. Uplift Community Alliance is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation, so dues payments may be tax-deductible. Please check with your tax advisor." Check your email for further information. Supply Order & Recipe Corner Moving forward, a supply order list will be posted on my office door at all times. If you need something, please add it to the list. This will ensure we stay organized and that nothing gets overlooked. Thank you for helping keep our operations running smoothly. Additionally, we have created a Recipe Binder! It is above the kitchen computer- there are several copies of each recipe, so please take some! We love when people bring them in, and using a binder will help us stay organized. In closing- I’m truly glad to be here and excited to work alongside all of you. Please know my door is always open — for questions, concerns, or anything else you’d like to discuss. I’m here to support you and our team in any way I can. -Austin Popular Posts January Shop Talk   Hello Lovely People, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! As the buzz of the holiday season dies down, we enter into a couple months of slow and steady progress. Spring cleaning and fresh blooms will be here before we know it. This Shop Talk is both the first of the new year and the last edition I will write. If you haven’t heard yet, my final day at Uplift Thrift will be the 17th (more on that later). For now, let’s jump into some info and updates as per usual.   New “How To” Register Book I’ve created several instructional sheets regarding questions I’m often asked at the register - things like how to check someone out with a gift card or how to print a receipt on a closed order. If you’re a cashier, please skim through this and utilize it if a question comes up! I would love feedback on it over the next couple of weeks. Are the instructions clear? Does anything need to be added? Etc.   Regular Meeting - TS Making Lunch! The Thrift Shop is in charge ... April Shop Talk   Hello, my Uplift Thrift people! I’m almost at my second month here and have already learned so much about the organization and all of you. This role has been a refreshing change from TJ Maxx—I do miss my Coordinators, but I’m so enjoying being here!   Changes to the Sales Floor As many of you have noticed, I made a change to the layout of the rounders. I know a previous manager liked the taller fixtures at the front to help prevent theft, and I can definitely understand the thinking behind that. I want to share a couple of thoughts behind the new approach. First, the biggest deterrent to theft is great customer service. Greeting customers when they come in, checking in to see if they need help, and simply being visible on the sales floor all make a huge difference—and I know this team does an amazing job with that! Second, I want our floor plan to put the customer’s needs and comfort first. With this new “low to high” layout, customers can easily see from the front of the ... Powered by Blogger