Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter (2014)

EndedDocumentary showHistory

Today, it is taken for granted that many shop assistants are women, but 150 years ago, being served by a shopgirl was a strange new phenomenon, and the story of how an army of women swept on to shop floors is a fascinating one. Dr. Pamela Cox presents this three-part series following the journey of the shopgirl from an almost invisible figure in stark Victorian stores, to being the beating heart of modern shops. With retail the biggest private sector employer in the UK today, this series charts how shopgirls have been central to Britain's retail revolution and at the cutting edge of social change.

Network
Scheduleevery Tuesday at 21:00 (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E03The New CoolJul 8, 2014
S01E02Revolution on the FloorJul 1, 2014
S01E01Here Come the GirlsJun 24, 2014
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter premiere?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter premiered on October 30, 2014.

Where can I watch Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter online?

Unfortunately, Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter is not currently available to watch online.

What is Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter about?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter is a documentary series that explores the lives of women working in the world of high-end retail.

Who narrates Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter is narrated by Joanna Lumley.

How many episodes of Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter are there?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter consists of three episodes.

What locations are featured on Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter?

The locations featured on Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter include Harrods in London, Takashimaya in Tokyo, and Hudson's Bay in Toronto.

How does Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter show the contrasts between different retail industries?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter shows the contrasts between different retail industries by comparing the high-end world of couture to the mass-market retail environment.

Who are some of the experts featured in Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter?

Experts featured in Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter include retail historian Juliet Gardiner and fashion commentator Colin McDowell.

How does Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter explore gender issues in the workplace?

Shopgirls: The True Story of Life Behind the Counter explores gender issues in the workplace by examining how these women navigate a male-dominated sector of retail.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
48 Hours
Running

48 Hours

48 Hours is a CBS news magazine that investigates intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all aspects of the human experience. Over its long run, the show has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, driven the reopening -- and resolution -- of cold cases, and changed numerous lives. CBS News correspondents offer an in-depth look into each story, with the emphasis on solving the mystery at its heart. The program and its team have earned critical acclaim, including 20 Emmys and three Peabody Awards.

Invasion
Running

Invasion

Earth is visited by an alien species that threatens humanity's existence. Events unfold in real time through the eyes of five ordinary people across the globe as they struggle to make sense of the chaos unraveling around them.

Wednesday
Running

Wednesday

Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.

Alien: Earth
Running

Alien: Earth

When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat.

Peacemaker
Running

Peacemaker

This James Gunn-created series continues the saga of Peacemaker, a vainglorious superhero/supervillain who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill. After a miraculous recovery from his duel with Bloodsport, Peacemaker soon discovers that his freedom comes at a price.