Personal shoppers are important because they offer good fashion advice to clients. People want to look stylish at all events. The article illustrates six issues that clients should know about the personal stylist.
1. They Aren’t Just Glorified Clerks
A Personal shopper is a fashion professional. He or she assists client choose the right clothing product for a given event or function. There are two professional shopper categories. The first category is the in-store personal stylist. The personal shopper helps clients make the correct fashion decision when shopping in the fashion store. The second category is the independent image consultant. The personal shopper gives advice on suitable fashion styles.
2. Personal Shopper Charges
There is usually a charge for the services offered by the personal stylist. The personal shopper who works in a Department store earns a commission from every sale he or she makes. Independent image consultant has a flat hourly fee for the fashion shopping services.
3. Passion for Fashion
The major qualification for a professional shopper is passion for fashion. There is no universally accepted qualification for personal fashion. However, some organizations have certification programs; for example, the Association of Image Consultants International.
4. Soft Selling Skills
Personal fashion service succeeds because of referrals and loyal customers. It is, therefore, important for the personal stylist to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. Happy customers are loyal. They also convince their friends and relatives to seek personal style services from the image consultant.
5. Personal Fashion Service May be Addictive
Research on personal style, conducted by The America’s Research Group, indicates that 75% of clients use professional shopper service at least three times annually.
6. They are More Than Just Shoppers
Personal style is important at the workplace. Style impresses work colleagues, managers, and clients. An employee who has good personal style is desired by clients, especially in the sales profession. This translates to increased opportunities for performance and career advancement.
The image consultant, therefore, helps the clients select the correct fashion style for events. Good style improves opportunities. Stylish employees have more career advancement opportunities. In the arts, stylish and creative performers attract more audience members.