r/AskRetail

I used to work retail jobs in high school like 2008-2012 era. Like at American eagle etc. if you were assigned to be greeting, we were expected to greet almost every damn customer that walks through the door. If you see someone looking at a pile of jeans, staff would ask if they could get you a size and for those rare occasions suggest an alternative if the one you were looking didn’t have your size.

I went to the mall yesterday and walked into 6 stores. I was only greeted in one. It’s not a big deal but it was noticeable. There were greeters by the door but they were either not bothered by customers coming in, or would continue their conversation with staff or would be on their phone. If I wanted to try something on, someone would eventually find me but the shopping experience has changed. Maybe less eye contact too?

Sometimes I don’t want to be greeted, but I guess customer service overall has changed. Am I wrong??

TLDR: Retail customer service standards have dropped, staff no longer greeting customers or paying them attention while shopping.

I feel like when I have a customer service staff they are better of keep us productive like when I ask MIC that are not manger I would get a yes more on the cleaning like trash but when a manger involved they be like Na stay here

This store I went to doesn’t do returns, period. Only store credit and it’s pissing me off. Is this legal??? The dress don’t fit and I want my money back.

I’m 26F, newly married, degree‑holder, and recently went back to retail after corporate didn’t work out. I finally landed an operations manager role at a women’s clothing store with an older customer base. I was excited — good pay, stable hours, and I thought I’d finally found a store that wasn’t chaotic. I’ve been here two weeks. My store manager (“P”) has been here one month. The store is extremely understaffed because the previous ops manager quit after corporate refused to promote her when the old store manager retired.

I’ve been doing everything: shipment, ladders, shelves, floor sets, trash, customer service. The older associates don’t want to do anything except ring customers up, sit down, and use their discount. Meanwhile, customers constantly compliment me — my outfits, my ring, my personality — and we’ve hit sales goals multiple days in a row.

My outfits have all been modest and brand‑adjacent: pink blazer (P told me to wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness), jeans, flats, accessories; an orange jumpsuit (the brand literally sells bright colors); a blue/white maxi dress; a white sweater dress with pantyhose and boots; hair always in a slick bun. Nothing revealing, nothing inappropriate.

Yesterday P looked me up and down and said, “I love your fashion, but the older ladies might nitpick. You’re young and attractive — some customers might feel insecure.” Then she whispered with an older associate (“B”) for 20 minutes. Three hours later B nitpicked my outfit exactly the way P predicted. P then pulled me aside and said, “Nobody likes B, just ignore her,” even though she opened the door for the insecurity in the first place.

I’m not insecure — I know I’m not the problem. But this was weird, unprofessional, and honestly disappointing. Should I stay for stability or start planning a clean exit?

Hi chat 🤝

I’m a cashier team lead with a LOT of FT staff. Now that we’ve gotten into our third month being open, a lot of the staff are slacking off and seeming unable to keep themselves occupied. Any ideas on obscure cleaning ideas or ways to motivate them to keep themselves busy?

Calling any employees in the company— what are YOUR biggest problems with the company at large? (practices, issues, etc.) Not HR bait, just a genuinely concerned (and tired) employee. Really need to see if I'm crazy for all the shenanigans that are killing us.

For the record, I've been in the company four years and currently work as a supervisor. Three store changes, supported many more. Keeping my current store anonymous.

But for real, what's killing you guys working here?

8 hours, lost, confused, legs hurting so bad, so tired, i dont know how to fucking do anything and how to use the programs i hate capitalism and stupid shops with stupid things to sell more plastic, but oh i have to live somehow and oh rent us soon and oh i can't fucking find a job anyway because the market is so bad rn, so im so LUCKY AND HAPPY. Obviously crying after day one. I want to quit, i want to cry and throw up. I hate the fucking anxiety i get just thinking about the job i have to go to tomorrow and the next day.. and the next. Does it get better after the first week? Pls someone somehow give me hope or advice or idk man.. Dont talk to me about "oh haha yeah oblivious its going to be hard haha, did you think its easy?only 8 hours anyway Haha" NO but damn i just cant do this man

I'm a university student who still lives at home with their parents. I've been applying for a LOT of jobs and it's hard for me to find any since my CV doesn't include any retail experience. Once I get back, I won't have any income for the summer so I would really like this job.

They'd want hire from october 2026 through to 7 February 2027, but I leave for my exchange on November 28.

Would it be in my best interest to tell them that I have a 20 day exchage in the interview, right before my offer, or after I get the job? I don't want things to get messy

I applied to my local Hobby Lobby store for a few years now, and applying it for every week. Call them, all that stuff... But no zero call back, and no interview.

I have about 3 years total of car sales experience, I did pretty well ngl but I enjoy clothes much much more, I love fashion. How do you guys get into this? Iv applied to Gucci and Cartier and never heard anything back. Should I apply to a smaller boutique? I live in the Atlanta Market if that helps

Hello retail community!

I am here to ask for advice. I have a supervisor who is very disrespectful to all of us employees - including to customers. This person micro manage us, yells at us, humiliate us in front of customers, gets angry if we ask to take our breaks or go to the bathroom, and has very bad mood swings (one minute is happy and the next 10min you're being yelled at).

Everyone has reported this treatment to the store manager but nothing is done. We are only told to be understanding and respectful of having a young supervisor. I reported this supervisor to HR and the retaliation from this supervisor towards me have been crazy. Since nothing was done the supervisor feels even more comfortable to be abusive. A few of my coworkers have quit (old and new employees) and even the new employees have reported the supervisor. The only reason I am staying is because I need the income ans haven't been able to get another job yet.

Is this normal on young supervisors? What would you guys do? Also, I am interested on reading any personal horror stories you guys may have at your current or old workplace.

Thanks!

Seriously. At a small store, with fewer than 10 employees, why is the one person who is constantly picking arguments with staff, being defensive, accusing supervisors of bullying, perpetually late and without their work "kit" on them, takes home or abandons handheld scanners, not complying with OSHA regs, and unable to keep the work area clean NOT FIRED? Why??

WHY!? Why do they allow good, dependable, reliable, experienced shift leads to quit out of frustration that nothing ever gets done to correct it or discipline the offender?

Greetings, I hope you are having a good day

I am currently going through a legal process against my former employer (which was a major luxury retail store) and as such have found myself unemployed.

I am currently a uni student and have absolutely no intention of having a career in retail, so I'm hoping to find a smaller retail store, or similar that don't give the whole "grow as a person and build your career with us" bogus. In short I want a job where my boss is actually close to being the boss.

I brainstormed some shops i think would be pleasant to work at, book stores, novelty shops, even corner shops near me.

I was wondering what the best approach is to enquiring about working there? I have asperger's so unfortunately have a pretty dead and bland personality when talking to strangers lol. Is cold emailing the best approach? Or does handing in a resume in person work best? I am also looking to do summer units at uni so my availability will mostly be around weekends.

Thanks for any input and I hope I explained everything properly.

Have a great day!

…the last 10 years were real?
I left Target a while back after being a TL for over 10 years & life still feels surreal. I literally feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone because it warped my perception of/on time. It’s been a couple of years since I left, and I am still adjusting to living a life where I don’t work at my old Target.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is this even the right subreddit for this post?