6 Pros and Cons of Working in Retail

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Despite the increased popularity of online shopping, positions as sales associates in retail stores are still popular among job-seekers of all ages. Some first-time retail sales associates find that they love the in-store environment and go on to become shift supervisors or sales managers, while others quickly grow weary of the in-store sales environment and burn out before fleeing retail entirely in search of a different career.

Why is retail so polarizing? Why do some individuals thrive working in stores or shops while others detest it? The short answer is that retail work is not for everyone. Like any occupation, it has its ups and its downs. If you're considering working in retail, look over the pros and cons listed below. If the good seems to outweigh the bad, you just might thrive on the in-store sales floor.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Career in Retail

6 Pros of Working in Retail

First, let's take a closer look at some of the upsides of working as a sales associate in a retail setting. If these pros sound particularly enticing, a career in retail may be just what you're looking for!

1. Daily Physical Activity

Eight-hour work days can be energetically taxing regardless of occupation. That said, more sedentary jobs such as office work can lead to muscle atrophy, back problems, and lower energy levels in the long term.

Retail work, on the other hand, typically involves a greater degree of physical movement. At most stores, sales associates spend their workdays standing, stacking, reaching, facing, moving around the store, and performing a multitude of other tasks, most of which involve moving the body in some way.

While the degree of physical activity involved in working at a store wouldn't necessarily be considered "exercise" from a fitness standpoint, it does have a positive impact on energy levels, and it sure beats sitting all day. When I began my career in retail after spending almost two years working seated in an office, I noticed my after-work energy levels skyrocket as a result of the more physical nature of my daily tasks.

2. Merchandise Discounts

Ideally, sales associates should work for retailers whose products they use and enjoy. When this is the case, merchandise discounts can be one of the most rewarding perks of the position.

While employee discounts can vary significantly between retailers, the norm is usually 10% to 30% off the tag price. In some cases, store owners or managers may allow sales associates to add an additional product to a scheduled order from a supplier and then purchase it at store cost plus shipping.

When I worked in a culinary supply store, I was allowed to order one item at cost every six months. I used this perk to get a new set of high-end kitchen knives for just a little over half of what they cost in-store.

3. Interpersonal Communication

For those of you who fancy yourselves extroverts, practicing your face-to-face skills may not be a particularly high priority. If you're naturally shy like me, however, the frequent customer interactions necessitated by a career in retail are a great avenue through which to boost your communication confidence.

At first, developing the confidence to cheerily greet customers and answer their questions accurately can be an intimidating process. As you get to know the products in greater detail, however, customer interactions become easier. Additionally, the sheer volume of people with which you'll interact on a daily basis can have a pleasantly desensitizing effect; in my case, it all but alleviated my mild social anxiety.

4. Development of Merchandising Skills

If you have an eye for design, merchandising products can be one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of an in-store position. Most retailers try to display their merchandise in an aesthetically pleasing way, and some go so far as to create intricate, full-window displays that change monthly or seasonally.

Since customers are more likely to purchase products that are well-displayed, sales associates often spend their time cleaning, reorganizing, and facing products when business is slow. Employees tend to have more leeway when it comes to curating product displays in smaller, specialty shops than at big-box chain retailers. Keep this in mind when searching for retailers to apply to.

5. Basic Computer and Math Practice

Jobs in retail usually require the use of a point of sale (POS) system, a cash register, and an inventory management system. By conducting transactions using these connected systems, sales associates gain experience with counting, basic math, computer programs, and inventory-revenue reconciliation.

While each retailer will have different programs, protocols, and routines in place, the basic skills they involve are likely to be useful in future positions and may have applications in your personal life as well. Sorting information using spreadsheets, counting money quickly, and performing basic mental math calculations can help keep your mind sharp and active in the long term.

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6. Room for Growth

Since shops and stores experience a relatively high rate of turnover compared to other workplaces, those who thrive in retail often find themselves able to take on new roles and responsibilities relatively quickly. It is not uncommon for first-time sales associates to find themselves in an assistant manager position within a year or two of being hired.

If scheduling, training, and other higher-responsibility aspects of the retail workplace appeal to you, taking a job as a sales associate is a good way to get your foot in the door to a managerial position.

6 Cons of Working in Retail

Now let's take a closer look at some of the less-than-ideal aspects of working in a shop or store. If none of these so-called cons are dealbreakers in your book, a job in retail might be a good fit for you.

1. Relatively Low Pay

Retail sales associate jobs don't usually have the highest starting wages. This varies by employer, of course, but most retail jobs pay first-timers somewhere around minimum wage or a little higher. Relatively low starting wages are common in restaurant and café work as well but are usually supplemented with customer tips, which can boost hourly wages by several dollars or more. Tipping is not customary in retail, on the other hand, so sales associates should not expect to make more than their hourly wage.

Retail employees can, however, expect to see regular pay raises over time if they demonstrate consistent work ethic and good attendance. Eventually, managerial positions can raise the pay bar even higher. Even so, retail employees do not tend to take home as much pay as those working at a similar level in the service industry because of the tipping factor.

2. Weekend and Holiday Work

Stores and shops tend to experience higher traffic and sales on weekends than on weekdays. For this reason, most retail employees are required to work one or more weekend shifts. If your friends or family work regular, Monday through Friday schedules, this can be a bit of a drag, as it can limit the free time you have to spend with loved ones. If, on the other hand, you are a student or someone looking into retail work to supplement income from another source, these same weekend shifts can be a huge plus!

The winter holidays are another busy time for most retailers. Some offer gift-wrapping services, which can be a fun change of pace or a bit of a pain depending on your proclivity for crafts. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, employees can also expect to work longer shifts due to extended holiday hours. Additionally, most stores require employees to work through Christmas Eve, which can be a setback for those hoping to travel to visit family for the holiday.

Note: Many retailers choose to play holiday music in-store during the weeks leading up to Christmas. This usually involves hearing the same 25 or so songs on a loop for almost a month, which can be extremely difficult, to say the least. During interviews, be sure to ask your prospective employer whether they engage in this mind-numbing practice.

3. Interpersonal Communication

While this facet of the in-store sales experience was listed first as a pro, it can have its downsides as well. We all have good days and not-so-good days, and dealing with difficult customers, stressed-out managers, and caffeinated coworkers can be a bit of a challenge on the not-so-good days.

When working in an office setting, it can be fairly easy to keep to one's self and quietly complete tasks in relative peace. In retail, however, we are not afforded this luxury. Regardless of whether you are tired, depressed, hungover, or otherwise not in the mood, you will need to don a facade of cheerfulness and politely engage with customers for the duration of your shift. For some, this is no problem, and for others, this can be very challenging. Consider your own personality and constitution when deciding whether retail is the right choice for you.

4. Inventory

Inventory is widely regarded as one of the least exciting aspects of shopkeeping. Most stores require all employees to be present on days when inventory is being counted. The frequency with which this mind-dulling task is performed varies by employer— some count inventory once per year while others do so once per month.

Next time you go shopping at a store you've considered applying to work at, imagine counting (along with your coworkers) every item on that store's shelves and in their back stock. If this sort of task sounds daunting, you can ask prospective employers how often they count inventory during your interview to get a sense of whether this will be a dealbreaker for you.

5. High Turnover

As mentioned earlier, stores, much like restaurants and cafés, tend to have a relatively high rate of employee turnover compared to other workplaces. As a result, there may not be as strong of a co-working community as some might prefer.

For those who don't like to be particularly social or collaborative in the workplace, this may not be a major issue. Generally, smaller retailers retain individual employees for longer periods than large chains—this is another point to keep in mind when deciding where to apply.

6. Indoor Work Environment

This downside is not exclusive to retail. Stores, just like offices, cafés, and restaurants, tend to be located indoors. For most employees, this is no surprise and no problem. On the other hand, those rare few who value fresh air, vitamin D, and the wind in their hair above all else may feel somewhat stifled by the eight-hour shifts under fluorescent lights.

Is a Job in Retail Right for You?

Now that you've learned the ins, outs, ups, and downs of store life, I hope you have a better idea of whether a move into retail work is the right choice for you. If you're a people person (or aspiring people person) who enjoys being active and multitasking and doesn't mind the occasional product-counting session or weekend shift, perhaps you should give it a try!

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2019 Tannis Phidipus