Turning Store Associates into Stylists and Fulfillment Experts with Karrie Helm

November 14, 2024

 

Summary

In this episode, Karrie Helm, Sr. Director of Stores at EVEREVE, discusses how EVEREVE is transforming the shopping experience by merging the convenience of online shopping with personalized in-store service. She explains how EVEREVE utilizes BOPIS (Buy Online Pick Up In Store) and BORIS (Buy Online, Return In Store) to offer a frictionless, customer-first experience.

Karrie also shares how the brand empowers its store associates to move beyond transactional sales, focusing on personal styling and tailored fashion advice. This combination of exceptional service and efficient inventory management drives EVEREVE’s dynamic retail success.

Conversation Rundown

[ 9:35 - 11:06 ] How Evereve delivers a great customer experience?
EVEREVE operates with a smart, agile approach, continuously adapting to customer needs and market trends. Their core values, which have evolved into the "HEART" framework—humility, empathy, authenticity, relationship-building, and tenacity—are central to both customer and employee experiences. These values are deeply embedded in the company culture, fostering loyalty and helping to maintain a consistent, high-quality experience across stores. By staying focused on their core customer, carefully curating product assortments, and ensuring that both customers and employees feel valued, EVEREVE has built a strong, supportive environment that drives their success.

[ 14:56 - 16:33 ] How Evereve reaches out to their customers through different channels?
EVEREVE connects with customers across multiple channels to create an engaging, personalized experience. Through its catalog, the brand shares the latest trends, while social media and EETV offer behind-the-scenes content from stylists and team members. The curated box service adds a personal touch, with real stylists selecting items based on individual profiles—providing a tailored alternative to algorithm-driven options. Together, these channels strengthen customer relationships and enhance the shopping experience.

[ 18:08 - 19:13 ] How can physical stores survive amidst eCommerce dominance?
The key is personalized customer service. While eCommerce offers convenience and variety, physical stores can differentiate themselves by providing tailored shopping experiences. By analyzing customer profiles and offering expert assistance, such as stylists, brick-and-mortar stores can guide customers through the increasingly complex buying process. This level of personalized support makes the in-store experience more valuable, ensuring customers receive the help they need, while also fostering loyalty and creating memorable shopping moments that eCommerce alone cannot replicate.

[ 20:16 - 21:35 ] Leveraging physical stores as fulfillment centers.
EVEREVE has long used its stores as fulfillment centers, a strategy that enhances cost efficiency and inventory management. By shipping from the nearest location, the company optimizes logistics and ensures effective stock distribution across its national network of stores. This approach allows for quick response to sales trends, with fast-moving items being fulfilled from locations where they may not be top sellers. Despite occasional space limitations, the strategy has been especially beneficial during the pandemic, supporting continued operations, maintaining employment, and managing inventory effectively.

[ 22:05 - 24:52 ] How do BOPIS and BORIS help in fashion retail?
EVEREVE, providing a customized shopping experience is essential, with services like in-store returns and buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) at the core. These services enable stylists to engage directly with clients, offering styling tips and helping them visualize complete outfits. This hands-on approach not only enhances the shopping experience but also supports EVEREVE’s fast product turnover, ensuring fresh, timely options for loyal customers. By focusing on more than just transactions, EVEREVE fosters stronger, more meaningful relationships with its clients, staying true to its core mission.

[ 28:36 - 30:06 ] How can retailers enhance their customer reach?
By using data from eCommerce and subscription services to pinpoint high-demand areas, retailers can expand their customer base. By analyzing customer demographics and purchasing patterns, they can strategically open stores in locations where their target audience already shops, such as local neighborhoods or regional malls. EVEREVE applies this strategy by identifying regions with strong consumer demand through insights from their thriving eCommerce and subscription business. This approach not only increases brand awareness but also drives growth across all business channels.

[ 34:40 - 36:22 ] How to build a long-lasting relationship with customers?
The goal at EVEREVE is to break through the barrier that consumers frequently erect when they believe they are being sold to. In order to help customers see them as genuine people rather than just salespeople, the company hires people who are truly passionate about getting to know others. In order to help the customer navigate the experience, staff members are trained to ask insightful questions and have meaningful conversations. By creating a natural connection, this strategy makes it easy for the staff to showcase what EVEREVE has to offer.

Meet the Experts

Karrie Helm is the visionary Sr. Director of Stores at EVEREVE. With an extensive background in store management and a passion for styling, she has transformed the customer experience by seamlessly merging in-store styling with online shopping. 

Karrie is committed to cultivating high-performing teams that foster authentic connections with customers, delivering expert guidance on everything from styling to product selection. Her refined approach ensures a personalized, exceptional shopping experience that consistently exceeds expectations.

Retail Tips & Tweetables

We can do a lot online but we can do more when we talk to them (customers).

Every return is a moment to learn and improve how we serve.

Every interaction is a chance to build trust and get closer to our customers.

Staff should be trained on connecting with people as individuals, seeing customers as more than just shoppers.

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