Throwback Thursday: Early Sketch

November 10, 2016 ~ observationsinretail

Ya know, I actually like this. Except for the hands. Horrible, horrible hands.

Back a couple of years ago, I started thinking about my time selling liquor and some of the dumbest things Shoppers ever said to me, and this one instantly came to mind. I am incredibly sad to say that this was not an isolated occurrence (okay, considering what data I have already gathered on the Shopper, along with recent events, perhaps it is not all that surprising to see this happen repeatedly). We really did have big, fluorescent signs hanging over every rack to tell the Shopper at what kind of alcohol they were looking, and they all too often went completely ignored/unseen. Regardless, this was the face that launched a thousand ships (so to speak, but not angry ships, like laid-back ships with daiquiris, Jimmy Buffett music, and of course, disdain for everything the Shopper does). Anyway, if you are feeling any deja-vu, that is because this comic was recycled for use in “Sundays On Safari #3: Shopper Stupidity”. Most of my early sketches like this have found their way into the webcomic in some way, or they have been set aside for use in future strips. I shall be sure to highlight those in the future when they appear in new strips.

-The Retail Explorer

Tens and Twenties, Part 2

If you’re going to accuse someone of stealing, don’t do it and then lie about it. But really, don’t accuse someone of stealing unless you’ve got good evidence first.

This actually happened to me one day. What irritated me most was the fact that he not only thought I had stolen his money, but also that he tried to pass it off as not an accusation. The Shopper, if you will remember, considers itself to be infallible, so the possibility that the money might have been misplaced by the Shopper is absolutely impossible to them, despite being most likely completely accurate to everyone else. When encountering an angered Shopper, puff yourself up, make yourself as large as you can, and stand your ground. Unless you know you are completely in the wrong, stand your ground, and the Shopper will eventually retreat.

Tens and Twenties, Part 1

Trust me, we are building toward something good with this.

Everyday in retail is a day in paradise. My sincerest apologies for lying to you just now; no day in retail is like that. It can best be summed up as a few bright spots scattered amongst cold darkness that make you hate how slow the clock moves and everyone who walks through the door. Yeah, fun times.

-The Retail Explorer