15 years of doorman services in the country's most exclusive stores
When a customer enters some of the country's most exclusive shops, one of the first faces they will encounter is someone working for City Security. For them, the doorman has been a core service since 2011, when Louis Vuitton became the company's very first customer with a permanent door-guard service.
Managing Director Anders Ek personally fulfilled the role of a reliable and welcoming first impression for those wishing to shop within the luxury segment, and has been involved in the development of the service since 2006.
– Louis Vuitton was the first shop with a permanent doorman service in Norway, and I was involved right from the start in 2006, back then as Personellsikring. When we later started City Security, it was only natural that the service delivery followed us, says Ek.
A role that demands more than the uniform
In the luxury segment, it is about Doorman-role is about much more than just standing guard. In addition to the most important aspect, instore security, the security officers from City Security are also the first and last people the customers meet. This therefore places somewhat different demands compared to traditional guarding.
– As a doorman, the security officer must appear as a natural part of the environment, which means that requirements are placed on how one presents oneself, for example wearing a dark suit and black shoes, and generally appearing in apresentable manner. In addition, it is of course important to be pleasant and inviting, and to provide good customer service to those one meets, Ek explains.
Precisely for this reason, it is no coincidence who gets this type of assignment. City Security places at least as much emphasis on personality as on experience when assigning guards to luxury boutiques.
– This is a special job, and those who start working as a doorman receive extra training to be able to handle that exact environment. Much of the job also involves standing and moving around the store. Because it is a static role, it is also important to be aware of this, and quite simply thrive on that type of work, he says.
Self-confidence and experience are also important prerequisites. Security guards often stand alone when dealing with assertive personalities and customers who expect professionalism from the very first second, and therefore must be self-assured.
Security and trust
Behind the discreet appearance lies a clear security responsibility. The doorman role combines hosting with real retail security, and for certain customers it is also about controlling who is let in and out.
Today, City Security provides doorman services to several of the world's most renowned brands, among them Chanel, Dior and Moncler, in addition to Ralph Lauren and Prada. The company is also present at Follestad, in both Kongens gate and Bogstadveien.
What started with a single shop in 2011 has over 15 years evolved into a solid position in a demanding market, and today City Security is the largest provider of this type of service.
– It is about understanding the industry and about delivering the same, high level every single day, which we are proud to be a part of, Ek summarises.