I started working in a retail job for a photographic store when i left uni nearly four years ago and ended up getting stuck. We got a minilab about 6 months ago and i ended up running it in return for a paltry pay rise. I now want to persuade them that they NEED to give me a pay rise- i have been beating targets by about 30-40% for the last 2 months and i do everything from stripping down and cleaning machinery to marketing and running it from day-to day so i figure i'm deserving of a rise. To put it in perspective, my girlfriend works part time in a toy shop as a weekend sales advisor and earns more than me per hour. Just don't know how to approach the subect with the powers that be- any suggestions welcomed

You might just be topping out on what they're willing to pay.

Digital has really took a bite out of stores based solely on photography.
Most just use point and shoot digitals purchased from (Insert any department store here) or the internet. Then you toss in things like Photoshop and color printers along with technology still marching on.

I know the photography based store here closed down a couple years ago. It's funny, I remember the guy telling me who ran it at the time that digital was nothing quality-wise and of no concern.
I guess Joe Consumer thought different and the few 'professionals' you may have around just aren't buying enough monthly to keep the light bill paid.

Might not be a bad idea to see if that toy store has any positions open...

Yeah i agree that it's a very difficult environment in which to survive, especially given the year on year depreciation in the retail price of photographic equipment. However developping and processing continues to be high margin and costs a fraction of the amount of the consumables required to produce an inkjet print. While it becomes more and more difficult to make profit on hardware, printing is still lucrative and i think delivering 130-140% of my targets is worth a rise

Threaten to quit, in a mega-flounce stylee. You'll find out if they really value you.

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