We may be entering a credit crunch, but personal shopping services are booming in popularity. As customers are becoming more cost conscious, they are increasingly employing the services of a personal shopper to ensure those precious pounds are well spent. Customers are searching for clothes that fit in with their existing wardrobe and making sure that what they purchase will not only go the distance but, are good value on a cost-per-wear basis. Add to this the tantalising offer of a personal stylist to whisk you round the shop for free, and thousands of customers are signing up to the ‘in-house’ services across the country.

Sounds great until you start to realise the actual cost of that free service. What if the person ‘advising’ you had no additional training than anyone else on the shop floor? What if that person worked on commission, gaining a higher paycheck for greater sales? Suddenly the flattering service they so tantalisingly offer, with the separate changing room, massive mirror and rack of specially chosen clothes (never from the sale section), isn’t quite so seductive.

For qualified and experienced style consultants across the country, it’s been an interesting dilemma, most of us have continued to work steadily, as the quality of the work speaks for itself. Some customers will always go for a free service, much like some people will always chose the cheapest builder. However, they rarely factor in the additional cost of having the work re-done.

The huge changing room to yourself in a brilliant weapon in the psychology of sales. Everyone looks smaller in a large room (most customers want to look slimmer), you then have a rack of clothes chosen ‘especially for you’, cue the British politeness of being obliged to agree with the sales person, as they have made the effort. The rooms are often white, making the clothes ‘pop’ out and appear more attractive. Then, add an enthusiastic ‘expert’ telling you how wonderful you look and it’s no surprise that most customers leave with bags full of shopping and an significantly lighter purse.

So, how do you let the the new customers know that you do get what you pay for and that the service we offer is actually better?

Customers are seeking advice because they don’t know what suits them. Many of my clients have been stuck in a rut and really have lost the ability to see themselves in a new light. Makeover shows work on the ‘wow’ factor where people undergo huge transformations but, it doesn’t always have to be such an ‘extreme makeover’ to create a massive impact. You can look 10lbs slimmer in the right clothes, surgery is not mandatory to looking better!

For the private style consultants, this just makes our job slightly easier, customers are increasingly saying they saw someone for free, but just didn’t feel they came away looking better. Many pulled out the clothes at home and didn’t get the desired reaction from partners, family and friends.

It might take customers slightly longer than before, as they go on the bargain detour, but quality will always win out.

The real value is always in qualified, experienced and perhaps most importantly independent advice.

For personal shopping services contact Chameleon Fridays.

Personal shopping is often talked about, but what is it?

A personal shopper is a professional who advises their clients on what and where to buy. Though the definition of “personal shopper” on Wikipedia includes advice on range of items from furniture to online shopping, traditionally a personal shopper focuses on fashion and clothes. They tend to work with the general public, mainly using high street stores and available designer colections. In contrast, a stylist who will tend to work with celebrity clients and mainly use designer ranges and collections not yet available to the public (i.e. a season early).

Large department stores are increasingly employing staff internally to act as a personal shopper, though they will normally work on commission and will only advise on clothes in that store, as a result the client is unlikely to get the range or independence of a freelance personal shopper. Honest opinions are also often a compromise with the sales targets are looming.

Prices for independent personal shopping range from £50 to £100 per hour.

Chameleon Fridays

If you examine the support systems of most successful professionals you’ll often discover a ‘coach’ as a part of the team. Life coaches provide the missing focus and encouragement needed to pursue individual goals, without the bias or politics work and social circles can bring.

Coaching is a relatively new and often misunderstood phenomenon, arriving in the UK around 1997. Life coaches are not therapists, they do take into account the blocks and obstacles, but negotiate the goals and formulate a plan to get there.

A coach is responsible for being both encouraging and challenging, enabling the client to understand what they want and why. A coach will break down the plan into appropriate stages, and like a personal project manager, ensure it is delivered.

At Chameleon Fridays, our Life Coaching aim is to make dreams realistic, put plans and strategies in place to achieve success, enable our clients to become more efficient and most importantly, maintain the focus. Much like a personal trainer is for your body, our services are personal training for your personal goals.

A coach will meet with you to breakdown the targets, negotiate the focus and write a plan to achieve success. Our coaching is available in thirty minute client facing and/or telephone sessions. We recommend a programme of eight sessions.

Chameleon Fridays

Chameleon Fridays was established in May 2006 by Chloé Rose Merrigan having noted a need for a quality and professional service combining the two elements of coaching and consultancy.

Chloé has a over 10 years of experience within the areas of project management, training, psychology, mentoring and coaching. Chloé has been formally trained as a Master Life Coach and Style/Image Consultant since 2003.

The chameleon is often misunderstood. Their amazing ability to transform is not to camouflage and blend in, but to convey mood and distinguish themselves from the competition. At Chameleon Fridays our aim is to make our clients like a true chameleon, providing them with the tools to really make their mark as an individual.

Chameleon Fridays

Experts estimate that an individual has between seven and seventeen seconds before a stranger will formulate an initial impression of you.

Between thirty and ninety seconds the opinion is registered as “strong” and it is at this point, most interviewers will have already decided if a candidate has made the grade.

At ninety seconds and up to four minutes, we decide if we are attracted enough to someone to date them.

Once an impression is formulated it takes three times as long for someone to change their opinion. All the while the individual is seeking new information to reinforce their original impression. No-one likes to admit they’re wrong.

Chameleon Fridays aim is to make our clients look stylish, modern and professional. Our service is simple; we teach you the rules about your individual colour and shape, then make appropriate recommendations for clothing, accessories and hair. This is so that you can look your best, always.

Chameleon Fridays