Okay, so KIVA has been up and running for a while now and despite a few bumps along the way, everything is running great. Those little critters are working their circuits to the bone. Last time I talked about some employee’s views on KIVA itself and how they liked working with the new system. I heard from a few people how they would like to know how the process works and how it’s different from regular putaway or picking. So this is for all those eager young minds yearning for information.

Unlike site manager, which is ran throughout the rest of the warehouse, you don’t have to make a new password and type in your login every time. Instead all you have to do is scan your badge with the hand scanner that you use for putaway, or type in your name to get logged in. Easy enough. After the login screen, you are directed to a job option screen. On this screen you choose either putaway or picking/purging. Purging is a tool under picking that helps with picking multiple orders.

Once you choose which job you will be performing, you will be prompted to choose which pods you want to use. There are pods for small and large handbags, shoes, apparel, etc. Once you make your decision, the bots will automatically go and retrieve the appropriate shelving units. Once they bring them, all you have to do is put the items away. The only difference between putting away in KIVA and putting away in the static racks is in KIVA you have to scan the location and then scan the items, while in the static racks you have to scan the item first.

Now that you know the process I bet you can’t wait to jump in there and start working, right? Well of course you are. They’re just too neat not to want to work with the bots.

How do you Zappos?

With all the great customer service stories and blogs out there about Zappos.com, I haven’t really seen anything about how people shop at Zappos.com – How do you Zappos?

From my parents, siblings, and friends, to random people I’ve met, I’ve watched them all shop on Zappos.com. Some of them are internet savvy, others are not. Some were eCommerce savvy, others have never bought anything online. The one thing I noticed is that each of them shopped on zappos.com differently. Some of them would search for a brand, others would immediately click on the brands list to see the full list of brands available at zappos.com, others would click on one of the links on the Homepage (i.e. Women’s Dress), while others would click on one of the New Feature spots. The one thing that everyone did know were the service offerings from this great company, in particular, Free Shipping & Free 365 Day Returns.

I just wanted to throw this out there. I shop on Zappos a lot. I mean A LOT! If you have ever worked for a retail store, you will understand what I mean when I say every employee shops their own store and they are really the experts at the store. They know what’s coming in, they know where everything is, and they can help any customer match items or find a similar item. The same can be said about Zappos employees. The difference is that we have a much larger selection with tons of new things coming in everyday.

I have a routine when shopping on zappos.com. This routine has been “developed” over time “practicing” the site and talking to various fellow employees/experts. What I wanted to do was to let you know what I do every time I go to the site. Here is my routine:

1. Go to Zappos.com
2. From the header, I click on ‘ New Styles ‘
3. From here, you will see several links grouped by Women’s, Men’s, Girls, and Boy’s
4. I always start with Men’s ‘ Accessories ‘. Most people don’t know that Zappos is more than just shoes . There are socks , clothes , electronics , backpacks , women’s handbags , books , jewelry , watches , hats , laptops , cameras and more! From ‘Accessories’, I get to see what’s new for all things besides clothes, watches, sunglasses, and shoes.
5. I’ll browse through the first several pages until I start seeing things that are familiar to me (from the last time I looked)
6. Next, I go through and click on ‘All New Men’s Shoes’, then ‘Clothing’, then ‘All New Women’s Shoes’, then ‘Handbags’ for the wife. If time allows, I’ll check out the watches and eyewear

Did you know that Zappos is constantly receiving new items throughout the day, almost every day? Since I know this, I’ll check the site roughly every 4 hours and do my routine above. You will be surprised how many new things you will see every 4 hours. The other great thing about this routine is that I get to see lots of new stuff very quickly and not feel overwhelmed.

My other routine if I’m looking for something specific, is to use the Search box that is stretched across the top. Typing in a brand or a couple describing words usually does the trick. For stronger search capabilities (i.e. searching by personality – casual laptop bag), I like to go to the Zappos Zeta ( http://zeta.zappos.com ) site. It works really well. :)

Anyway, this is how I Zappos. It works really well for me and I know others at Zappos who do have a similar routine. So… How do you Zappos? Let us know. :)

Attention! Attention! Read all about it! Zappos is being invaded by robots!

Okay, well maybe we’re not being invaded but we still have them, which is cool nonetheless. If you haven’t heard, Zappos.com is now running the new KIVA system. We are one of the first few companies in the United States to have them in our facility. For those who don’t know what KIVA is exactly, they are multiple robot units that actually bring storage shelves to a team member’s station to be filled with product. They also bring the shelves to a team member who needs to pick a product to be shipped to a customer. Based on the information you enter into the computer about the sizes and type of product you need to put away or pick, the robots bring you the appropriate shelves. Right now there are only a few employees working with them in order to make sure everything runs properly and smoothly. After about a week or so of working with the KIVA system, this is what a couple employees had to say about it:

“Our first day in KIVA was really exciting. We learned what does and doesn’t belong in the pods and which pods to use for specific items. The pods have certain areas for small and large purses/wallets, small shoes, and even designated spots for watches and hats. It makes everything so much more organized and easier to not only put away but also to pick.” – -Suzanne B.

“KIVA definitely makes my job easier. It gets really hot in the warehouse and after a full day of walking back and forth between floors and pushing a cart, you’re ready to fall over. I love the KIVA robots because they do all the work. It not only helps me keep my energy, it lets me keep my same fast pace throughout the whole night.” – Beth W.

Based on the feedback from the employees and the progress of the KIVA system itself, it is believed that our receiving and shipping processes have broke new grounds in getting new products and pleasing the customers. Looks like we even deliver WOW to ourselves. This is just a glimpse of what the future will hold for us at Zappos.com. Keep checking back for more updates about the KIVA system and all the little critters.

All ready to go!

Our very own Chris M. checking out the Picking process.

The beautiful overlook of the robot village.

I’m sure that Katherine Noel Brosnahan, now known as Kate Spade, never imagined from her humble beginnings in Kansas City, Missouri, going on to study Journalism, that she would someday invent a handbag that would launch a thousand imitations and would soon become the staple of her still flourishing Kate Spade international empire. Kate, while working as a Senior Fashion Editor/Head of Accessories at Mademoiselle magazine discovered the consistent lack of stylish and practical handbags in the marketplace. She would visit local flea markets for inspiration, and fabric swatches which led to the creation of her initial prototype — the black, stain resistant fabric handbag with dual handles, which officially launched her label in 1993. She quit the magazine in the early ‘90s and the rest as they say is history. Kate Spade, along with her now husband, Andy Spade, have built the Kate Spade empire into a brand which consists of handbags, shoes, stationery, personal organizers, address books, beauty products, perfume, pajamas, eyewear and home which was launched in 2004.

We here at Couture are never to be out done and were able to procure Kate’s shoes and handbags, which one third of the Couture team can’t ever be without. Our faves are: Kate Spade’s Hera shoes, Kate’s Anguila Flat Ava Clutch and Kate Spade’s Becca Sunglasses .

You know the famous fedora tilted just so. The rough hewn linen fabrics. Roomy trousers or gauzy dresses. Sounds exactly like what is going on in the fashion industry right now, no? What better way than that to start off Couture’s themed How to Wear It series. Enjoy a funky little male-inspired hat, a sweet little breezy dress, a trendy gladiator sandal embellished just so and a structured leather satchel to throw effortlessly over one’s shoulder. Ooh la la.

The What: Styling a little ladylike Indiana Jones

The How To: Ugg Braid Fedora Hat (Natural) + Jean Paul Gaultier Horn and Moose Charm Necklace + MICHAEL Michael Kors Patchwork Stud Detail Belt +++ Radcliffe Denim Cheyne Tank Dress + Fossil Perry North/South Messenger Bag + Sam Edelman Ginger (Gold) Gladiator Sandal

The When: Daytime – perfect for work, luncheons or shopping

The Why: Because the look says summer cool, even if the movie did not live up to the hype

In 1928 Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan designed the first Cole Haan shoe. It was Chicago, the jazz age. Quality was everything — and style, like the sound, was smooth and sophisticated. So goes the intro on the Cole Haan website.

Today, like its early beginnings, creativity, luxury, technology and sophistication still reigns supreme in the company’s approach to design. Cole Haan has grown significantly since its first pair of shoes to include clothing, small leather goods, belts, luxury outerwear, watches and fabulous handbags. The company had been collaborating with Nike with their air technology for shoes and Nike eventually purchased the company outright in the late ‘80s. Of course, here at Couture.Zappos.com we carry a vast array of the Haan products. Our faves: the Air Ricki Sandal (women), the Air Granada Sport Ox (men), the Whitford Shave Kit (men) and the Village Soft East/West Triple Zip Bag (women).

A bubble hem dress is an elegant yet simple dress that every one should have in their wardrobe. The line of the dress and proportion of the hem’s volume come and go over seasons, but ones like this pitch perfect silhouette by Moschino, is ultra-feminine and never goes out of style.

The What: Moschino’s scoop neck tie dress

The How To: 1. D&G Dolce & Gabbana dangling earrings 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs acrylic stud cuff 3. Furla Lara Medium shoulder bag 4. Emilio Pucci Chain link andle-tie strappy leather sandal

When: For after-work fun.

The Why: Simple, sophisticated elegance.

Ladies, rev up your going out engines. Slim dark demin jeans, a ruffled collar halter silk shirt and peep-toe pumps. Which bag should you choose? Should it be the trend-on Carlos Falchi exotic skin bag or the vivid-hued red Alexander McQueen one? The Couture Team wants to know.