A draught from the front door makes suddenly the atmosphere colder. A woman in her fifties is entering in. Welcome to Anne-Marie's clothes boutique. "It's been my business and a huge part of my life for fourteen years. And it's still much funnier than being a housewife!" she says, as an innuendo to her past life, when she was married.
Smiles and jokes all the time – "they make my days even shorter." On the look-out for her potential customer, she is waiting for the right moment to approach that old-fashioned Parisienne dressed with a leopard fur coat. "The way I approach a customer? What a stupid question… You just have a look, and then you can easily see if someone looks comfortable or if she is expecting something!" In other words, that is something natural, just like Anne-Marie herself. A smooth music, not too loud, and a soft lighting add a glamorous touch to suits, dresses, skirts and hats. Obviously, she knows how to create a customer-friendly atmosphere.
But isn't it a bit boring or frustrating to spend days and days in such a small shop? "It's not like standing the whole day here behind my counter", she answers. "I must clean up – tidiness is essential to me. I also prospect for new collections, then I have to order them. There is always stock control and a kind of administrative work to do too. I can't get bored here." She confesses that some periods are quieter than others, but that pre-Christmas time is one of the busiest of the year. And January will be even better as it will be the surplus stock time!
Unlike other small shop owners, Anne-Marie doesn't really fear big chains. "Sure, they attract most of the customers. But those who want something of their own, and a privileged relationship with their clothes retailer, will keep on buying in stores such as mine... I have my list of regular and personal customers!" They know that a suit plus a moment with an Anne-Marie is a bargain in itself.
Smiles and jokes all the time – "they make my days even shorter." On the look-out for her potential customer, she is waiting for the right moment to approach that old-fashioned Parisienne dressed with a leopard fur coat. "The way I approach a customer? What a stupid question… You just have a look, and then you can easily see if someone looks comfortable or if she is expecting something!" In other words, that is something natural, just like Anne-Marie herself. A smooth music, not too loud, and a soft lighting add a glamorous touch to suits, dresses, skirts and hats. Obviously, she knows how to create a customer-friendly atmosphere.
But isn't it a bit boring or frustrating to spend days and days in such a small shop? "It's not like standing the whole day here behind my counter", she answers. "I must clean up – tidiness is essential to me. I also prospect for new collections, then I have to order them. There is always stock control and a kind of administrative work to do too. I can't get bored here." She confesses that some periods are quieter than others, but that pre-Christmas time is one of the busiest of the year. And January will be even better as it will be the surplus stock time!
Unlike other small shop owners, Anne-Marie doesn't really fear big chains. "Sure, they attract most of the customers. But those who want something of their own, and a privileged relationship with their clothes retailer, will keep on buying in stores such as mine... I have my list of regular and personal customers!" They know that a suit plus a moment with an Anne-Marie is a bargain in itself.
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