The administration of Zavvi, and how the Credit Crunch isn’t affecting all of us, as the media would like us to believe.

It is December 27th. Most households across the UK exchanged gifts just two days ago. Each household has spent an absurd amount of money, making sure every family member is satisfied on the obligatory gift-giving day. As usual, the nation has continued to queue and crowd high streets, except this year, the sales started early, very early. For retail assistants, there was also the exciting prospect that it was nearly all over for another year.

This afternoon I returned to work at a major bookselling chain, my first shift after Christmas. The Guardian/ICM poll published today showed that 86% of Britons are planning to make cutbacks in 2009. But clearly the people of Milton Keynes hadn’t been told there was a credit crunch. The shopping centre was heaving. I thought a second Christmas had been planned without my knowing. I cursed my way to work, dodging wayward prams, huge shopping bags and trolleys. I thought, Christmas was two days ago, and these people want to buy more things?

After many inane sale related questions and customers speaking to me as if I am an automated robot, I thought I’d had a bad day. That was until I spoke to my boyfriend, who was back to work at Zavvi for the first time since the announcement of their administration on Christmas Eve. From the moment they opened their doors the staff faced abuse all day. Zavvi are now (legally) unable to accept gift cards as payment, but anyone who purchased a gift card after 27th November are eligible for a refund if they send it to the head office; an address of which is provided both in store or online. It is very unfortunate for those who have money on a gift card, and this seems to be the biggest source of most people’s frustration. But many cases have surpassed frustration and led to anger and threatening behaviour. The city-centre security now appear to have a permanent fixture at Zavvi. Within five minutes of the shop opening, one lady wished the manager ‘a horrible life’ because of the gift-card fiasco, and another man complained that the clearance sale ‘was the same as last week’ and had queued up all morning for nothing. One family had to be escorted out after their complaint esculated, with the Mother claiming she had had to work ‘3 days for that £30.’

The abuse of these customers is utterly farcical. Staff have had to resort to using the ‘at least you still have a job’ line, or something to that effect. But it is true. A whole workforce (including Woolworths) are out of a job, and some people only care that the sale isn’t cheap enough. It is a wonder how Zavvi have managed to convince their staff to continue working at all. Of course, it is not as easy for some to just up and leave when there are still bills to be paid and children to feed. But after two days of hell, it would surprise me if the young part-timers bothered to come in at all. In response to today’s vile actions of the General Public, it would be a wonderful thing to see all Zavvi employees strike, or not open their doors. As someone who knows exactly the sort of mindless un-civil scenarios retail assistants must put up with on a day to day basis, it is about time staff stood up for themselves. Retail assistants working in Zavvi are in the best position to execute a strike. Not only because they are set to lose their jobs (a buyer is unlikely considering the toxicity of EUK) but because they have truly had to cope with the worst treatment.

The media have relished in lumping everyone in the same boat when it comes to this recession. ‘We’re all in this together’ is a favourite motto. But for those shopping today, so desperate to get their hands on the cheapest bargain, they are very far from experiencing anything like those behind the tills. Yes, these are tough times for some, but not all. Not for those with enough money to desire even more goods after Christmas is over. In times like this, you would think that customers would sympathise and rally behind the workers, blaming the fat cats or top rung management for the failure of the company. But instead it is the lowly working man who must bear the brunt of the backlash. Retail assistants deal with impossible customers with professionalism that even the calmest of people would have trouble mustering. It is too late for Zavvi staff, but in the rest of the retail sector, employees should be paid a salary that matches the professionalism they exhibit. In the most simple terms, it is unfair and offensive to be offered their rate of pay when the work they do is far more draining, both physically and mentally. Whoever thought that working in a shop would become a calling, one that few could withstand.

The crowds in the shopping centre today showed a side to our society that have truly transformed into materialist monsters, who are not out for blood but for the best bargain. For some, it wouldn’t be good enough if shops were giving stock away for free. They would still want more. The unfortunate thing about my article is that when I refer to customers, I could be talking about you, or anybody else reading this. People are so quick to point fingers at the wrong-doers, but some of the finger-pointers must hold themselves accountable. Retail workers are not robots, nor are they inferior human beings, they are just like you and me. If it is too far to suggest that the workers of Zavvi strike, sending a clear message to customers and retail workers alike, then I hope we can all become a little more tolerant. After-all, it could be your job next.


(First Draft)