- Reading, which mainly consists of fiction novels
- I have a Labrador Retriever and enjoy walks in the local Country Parks
Ann Whiteman
Newcastle upon Tyne,Tyne and Wear
Summary
Customer-focused Shop Assistant with 47 years of industry experience delivering efficient service and building rapport with diverse clientele. Skilled in money handling, payment processing, and resolving queries with clarity. Adaptable and proactive, consistently tackling challenges and contributing to team success while ensuring positive customer experiences.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Customer Sales Advisor
Marks and Spencer
Morpeth, Northumberland
05.2025 - Current
- Cultivated strong customer relationships, resulting in increased repeat business.
- Identified customer needs through effective questioning and recommended appropriate products.
- Managed customer appointments and follow-ups through efficient scheduling and communication.
- Assisted in unloading and unpacking store deliveries onto shop floor, conducting shelf dressing and visual merchandising.
- Operated register to process payments via cheque, cash and cards.
- Supported new staff by providing mentorship and guidance on sales processes, product knowledge, and customer service excellence.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Assisted in inventory management, including stock checks and replenishment, ensuring availability of popular products.
- Engaged customers in meaningful conversations to thoroughly understand their needs and tailor product recommendations.
- Provided exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving complaints, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
- Built displays of items for special promotions and updated signs with correct pricing.
- Provided detailed, tailored product information to customers to assist with purchases.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a tidy and organised sales floor, contributing to a pleasant shopping environment.
- Restocked shelves in a timely manner.
- Maintained advanced knowledge of in-store products.
- Guided customers in finding specific products on the sales floor to enhance their shopping experience.
Section Manager
Marks and Spencer
Hexham, Tyne and Wear
11.2024 - 05.2025
- Enforced team compliance with health and safety requirements to maintain standards.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints, restoring satisfaction and maintaining brand reputation.
- Planned and delegated team activity to meet productivity and performance targets.
- Labelled goods clearly and accurately in line with Trading Standards laws.
- Coordinated daily team meetings to delegate tasks, communicate priorities, and align on goals.
- Stored stock safely and securely to maintain quality of goods.
- Managed inventory levels, minimising waste and ensuring availability of key products.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current best practices, implementing improvements to meet industry standards.
- Managed team performance through regular feedback and targeted improvements identified in appraisals.
- Trained team members to achieve full confidence and competency, enhancing overall department performance.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve product and service provisions.
Customer Sales Advisor
Marks and Spencer
Hexham
06.2005 - 11.2024
- Built and maintained relationships with customers to encourage consistent repeat business.
- Identified customer needs through effective questioning and recommended appropriate products.
- Assisted in unloading and unpacking store deliveries onto shop floor, conducting shelf dressing and visual merchandising.
- Operated register to process payments via cheque, cash and cards.
- Supported new staff by providing mentorship and guidance on sales processes, product knowledge, and customer service excellence.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Assisted in inventory management, including stock checks and replenishment, ensuring availability of popular products.
- Created engaging discussions with customers to obtain an in-depth understanding of their needs, finding best ways of selling.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving complaints, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a tidy and organised sales floor, contributing to a pleasant shopping environment.
- Guided customers in finding specific products on the sales floor.
- Kept cool, calm and collected when dealing with upset customers, offering smart solutions to issues, maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Maintained extensive knowledge of store offerings to select products best matching customer needs.
- Handled customer returns and exchanges, collecting feedback to improve products and services.
- Scanned products at high tempo and bagged securely for customers to carry.
- Gained extensive knowledge of product inventory to aid customers with merchandise enquiries.
- Used smart upselling and cross-selling techniques to increase customer order value, making suggestions based on product purchases and needs.
- Processed customer payments at checkout using POS system, providing change and offering gift-wrapping services when required.
Lingerie Advisor
Debenhams
Gateshead
11.2001 - 06.2005
- Achieved qualification as a Bra Fitter with Triumph and Fantasy & Freya, enhancing fitting skills.
- Presented advantages and disadvantages of product decisions, educating clients and aligning with their needs.
- Resolved client queries and concerns promptly, demonstrating commitment to exceptional customer service.
- Developed and deepened relationships with new and existing clients.
- Built strong client relationships through regular, meaningful communication, fostering trust and loyalty.
- Expanded client base, enhancing revenue potential.
Education
Walbottle Campus
Newcastle upon Tyne, NETSkills
- Customer service
- Customer relationship management
- Enquiry management
- Complaint resolution
- Payment processing
- Cash handling
- Upselling techniques
- Product knowledge
- Visual merchandising
- Team building
- Staff training
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Effective communication
- Communication skills
- Customer engagement
- Positive attitude
- Service excellence
- Punctuality and reliability
Interests
Timeline
Customer Sales Advisor
Marks and Spencer
05.2025 - Current
Section Manager
Marks and Spencer
11.2024 - 05.2025
Customer Sales Advisor
Marks and Spencer
06.2005 - 11.2024
Lingerie Advisor
Debenhams
11.2001 - 06.2005
Walbottle Campus