Crossword Genius

A record store engaging even heartless staff (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alpenstock

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'staff' is the definition.
(alpenstock is a kind of staff)

'a record store engaging even heartless' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'record' could be 'pen' (I've seen this before) and 'pen' is found in the answer.
'store' could be 'stock' (synonyms) and 'stock' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'l' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alpenstock that I've seen before include "climbing equipment" , "Mountain climber's staff with a metal point" , "Stick with a metal point, used by hillwalkers" , "Metal-tipped mountaineering stick" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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