Making that final fitting room decision can be brutal. Sure this dress is way cute, but so were the last two you tried on and it’s really a toss up as to which will vibe best with your fave pair of summer pumps. And since buying all three would totally put you out, you call time, rank ‘em and remember to save that receipt. It’s a situation you might not be sweating in the future if a radical shopping concept from the minds behind UNIQLO catches on: Customers can wear clothing out the door BEFORE they commit to buying it.
Piloted by UNIQLO’s trendier sister store GU, the brand-new program called GU Fitting will allow select customers to check out up to three clothing items for a same-day test drive. There are virtually no restrictions on the loan: GU only asks for your name + phone number — no CCs or IOUs required — and requests that you pop back into the store with the garments and your decision to buy or leave empty handed knowing that the peplum-hem skirt you’d been eyeing really wasn’t meant to be. According to GU, those once-loved pieces will be used on mannequins or recycled.
Currently underway at one of GU’s Tokyo-based shops, the mall madness is open to 30 customers per day until the end of this month. There are no reports out yet about the actual return rate on the “rentals,” which run around the same price as Forever21 garb. But since GU is already considering expanding the program, we have a hunch our mamas taught us all well enough ;)
Really, we’re not surprised by GU’s reaction to consider additional roll outs: The try before you buy concept has been a smash hit for e-tailers that allow customers to play dress up in the comfort of their home with their curated arsenal of accessories within arms reach. Maybe with a few more checks in place — you know, just incase — GU’s concept has potential to become the new normal for retail.
Are your fingers crossed for this shopping concept to roll out, like, everywhere? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
(h/t Racked)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.