Employee satisfaction matters in every industry, but it is vital in the world of retail. No matter how much money a company spends on marketing, just trying to get people into their stores, it won't make a difference if customers receive poor treatment from employees who hate their jobs and are just trying to get a paycheck.
Many retailers have carved out their own niche in their fields and actively market their brand image and corporate culture. This image makes it more important than ever for them to recruit and retain employees who fit in with and add to their corporate culture. When employees feel that they belong and are invested in their company, they become better at their jobs and they would be much more likely to say that they were very happy with their employer.
Forbes recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Employers in Retail, and I found worth noting that most of these companies have a clearly defined corporate culture and employee perk programs that emphasis their culture, thus ensuring that they are able to attract employees who share the same values.
Here are the 10 Best Employers in Retail according to Forbes:
- Overstock.com – If you spend any amount of time shopping online, then you are familiar with this Salt Lake City-based company. In surveys, the employees love working there because of its fun, relaxed work culture. Even more impressive is that their CEO, Patrick Byrne, has a 92% employee approval rating. You can even see Overstock.com's happy employees in their new holiday commercials.
- REI – REI is a recreation retailer who consistently receives high marks from employees in areas like workplace recognition and communication.
- Maurices – This clothing retailer specializes in teen/juniors fashion. The workplace culture is filled with fun and it seems that their employees really love working there. Maurices offers generous discounts and management training programs.
- Nike – Nike has an image of being innovative and cool. And, their employees are no different. They enjoy the constant supply of new products and new challenges and give high marks to the cool office setting and workplace culture.
- Coach – Selling world-class luxury leather goods isn't for the weak of heart, and Coach employees are motivated overachievers. Although they have a non-commission sales policy, they are always challenged to meet their goals.
- Hot Topic – Hot Topic works hard to find employees that blend well with their corporate culture of punk/rock music and self-expression through dress. Current and previous employees all give this retailer high marks. To attract the best employees, they even offer concert ticket reimbursements to their employees.
- Costco - Costco is an international membership warehouse that offers great values. Their employees love working there because of the high salary and great benefits. In fact, their CEO enjoys a 91% approval rating from employees.
- Nordstrom - This retailer is famous for their customer service and great employees. Their employees say that the workplace culture is friendly and family-like.
- L.L. Bean – Famous for their outdoor-wear, this company is headquartered in a beautiful part of Maine. Many outdoor enthusiasts love working here because of the awesome location and a great employee perk that allows them to borrow outdoor gear and even camp out in company owned cabins at the lake.
- Best Buy – Employees of this electronic superstore enjoy getting first dibs on new products. The company is well-known for generous employee discounts and for having a flexible, friendly workplace.
Are you looking for a job in retail? Be sure to visit RetailGigs.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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