THE WONDERS OF RETAIL

I was 16 when I last worked retail. Collegiate Sports had cool staff, a prime Yorkdale location and offered a discount on my coveted Air Jordan's - all a 16 year old needs to sign on the dotted line!

14 years passed when within the course of a month, I found myself with two retail commitments - a short stint at the bi-annual Elsa Reia sample sale and a part-time position at a chic, new home decor store on College Street.

Both experiences resulted in tremendous learning. Here are some of my take-aways:

1. As a marketer, it's very cool to be working on the front lines. Despite the great books I have read, I've learned the most about consumer behaviour by talking to and observing shopping in action. Knowing how you behave as a consumer is not enough. Every marketer should have a front-line refresher now and then.

2. Retail is a difficult and risky venture. I once had a romanticized notion of owning my own store. The reality is a HUGE investment in time and money and equally enormous risk. This is not to say I'd never do it. But I'd like to think my rose-coloured glasses are slightly clearer.

3. Most important, RETAIL IS GREAT FOR THE BUTT AND LEGS. Not to mention the smaller, sparser meals! Between the standing, stairclimbing, lifting, cleaning, and re-merchandising, I'm looking and feeling pretty good. Now that's retail therapy. Only two more weeks of retail left for me. It's almost worth staying, just for the workout!!