Demanding, fast-paced, rude management/employees, full of gossip, untrustworthy staff in higher positions, etc.
This company has the potential for greatness. However, the management that has been allowed and entrusted to lead the store to greatness with their own actions and implementations, while also hiring the appropriate staff, setting a high example for the staff, and training that staff to top quality are failing at their job. It infuriates me to put my whole self into a company and work hard, just to see lazy managers, who don't care about anything but being able to control and get their paycheck, being insufficient leaders and role models to those that really need it, the employees. Especially when this store has been suffering to make it's goals. There isn't enough in depth training and explanation behind what the store really needs and what they should expect out of you. Everything seems laid back and not very serious until a busier day rolls around and the managers are freaking out at everyone, rudely, while not giving any real solutions, training, or explanation behind anything. I, myself, worked hard and if I'm going to get up daily and go to work for a company, you better believe I'm doing all I can and putting all of myself into that work. I was surprised and constantly irritated to see the inexperience and lack of drive in most of the employees they hired. I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, the place definitely has potential, but don't go working here and expecting to be recognized and rewarded for anything, or to move up at any point, unless you're very petite a
ProsSome nice people, occasional free food if the managers feel like buying pizza during your shift, try to work with your schedule (though normally still a lot of schedule problems)
ConsRude, improper training, no real recognition, if you're under 30 then you're treated like you're a kid that doesn't know anything, never meeting goals, gossip-y staff (it is completely like you're back in high school again), anything private will still get around if you share it with anyone (even friends there), so much more.
A fun working environment with excellent culture and values.
In a typical day at work, clients would filter in and out of the store and as a sales associate it was my responsibility to greet and and inform customers of the daily sales and new product arrivals, identify their needs/wants and apply my product knowledge to find what items best satisfied each customer. Being aware of the daily sales and Banana Republic Card goals, I would always try to up-sale in a non-invasive manner and have the customer's best interest in mind by helping them find products that suited their budget and offer them the Banana Republic Card to save them money and generate repeat business for the company.
The management at Banana Republic was always very helpful and friendly. When you needed assistance with a client they were always there to offer advice and a hand. When the store was busy, it was all about team work between management and co-workers. Co-workers were either sales associates, cashiers, greeters, fitting room attendants, or stock room attendants. Each job's function helped the store run efficiently with their individual tasks.
The most challenging part of the job was coincidentally the most enjoyable part of the job; managing multiple clients at once while still providing the company's service quality standard. When the store was busy, you had to operate on a touch and go system so you would never neglect other clients you were busy with. For example, if you needed to grab additional sizes for your client in the fitting room, you could
ProsCompany sponsored events, connections with community service organizations, having access to current fashion trends daily, benefits for achieving sales goals
ConsLimited flexibility with work schedule in regards to school schedule
I had originally applied as a restock associate. Apparently on my first day they lied and threw me in the sales floors. You pretty much have to make your own money. Meaning you have to lure people into buying banana cards and also into buying something else besides what they went to get. That is how you make money. If you don't sell stuff to people then you slowly get fired. It can be stressful because they keep track of what you sell and also the locals that shop have their favorites who they go to making new employees hard to stay at that job. It revolves around favoritism. Going on your shift the leader will show you how much the store made that day so far and how much it needs to make by the end of the night and how much you need to sell by the end of your shift (already making it stressful as it is) One day on a 4 hour shift they wanted me to sell at past 1,200 dollars worth of clothes on a Wednesday. I barely was able to go at 100 dollars because it was so dead and everything was 50% off so they told me i had to leave a hour earlier. Its not the best retail there is and the brand is dying. A lot of stores are closing and many of them are doing tactics where they want you to lure people in to buy more stuff or rewards cards. Other than that on slow days it can be relaxing. Replenishing items to the salesfloor and pretty much fixing stuff around. I sometimes pretended to be busy because of how dead it was at times. Sure Saturday and Sundays people came in but it wasnt a b
Pros6 am to 10 am schedules were the best, friendly co workers who were best at team work
ConsHaving to lure people into buying rewards cards and buying more clothes, half the time customers were a bit rude and pretty much dropped my confidence.
When I began at Banana Republic, I was a part time cash/sales associate that had little experience in retail. With the excellent training that I received from management, I was well on my way to becoming a "seasoned pro" who truly loved her job. I worked the cash register; this meant that on top of my normal sales and upkeep duties, I processed sales and returns, assisted customers in applying for Banana Republic Credit Cards, answered the phones, and kept the back counter clear of merchandise. When I was not maintaining the register area, I was assisting customers with their needs and replenishing the store. I was in charge of my own sales quota that was to be met by the end of each shift. Additionally, I was the Staff Representative responsible for the display, replenishment, and sale of Banana Republic jewelry.
During my time spent at Banana Republic, I became much more familiar with sales techniques and was able to delve into my ability to relate to each customer. Though the goal was to sell merchandise, I always felt more comfortable meeting the needs of the customer rather than trying to up-sell them. I gained a loyal following of clients that would visit me often to shop - some of which I am still in contact with today.
I believe the exceptional management was the reason why our store was so successful, why our customers were always satisfied, and why my coworkers and I enjoyed working there so much. Our managers showed both employee and customer nothing but the
Prosmanagement, wages, discounts across the brands
While working at Banana Republic as a full-time Sales Associate, I enjoyed some success, but regarded the position as unfulfilling and un-challenging. The leadership team was a great support (with the exception of one). As a full -time sales associate, I initially enjoyed the benefits of The Platinum Circle. It was a great incentive to drive my sales and reach my goals. However, after the program was cut, I was extremely disappointed that Gap, Inc. decided not to award their top sales associates, but instead to award the whole staff as part of the CASH program. It didn't seem like a fair/balanced program. I continued to be a top sales performer, and my efforts were key to the store reaching it's CASH goal. I was no longer receiving commission for my efforts, but the full and part-time staff were now receiving payouts due to my performance.
After the Platinum Circle ended, I requested for an increase in base pay, but was denied. Discontinuing the compensation plan and not be compensated accordingly showed me that Gap, Inc was no longer interested in driving sales through customer relationships, and that Banana Republic was leaning towards a customer service model similar to Gap and Old Navy.
Employees are driven by goals and incentives. As a top sales associate for the company, I was driven each day by the fact that I had a goal to reach. During the last 8 months of my employment, I felt disconnected and not part of the team. My role as a top sales performer no longer matter
Working a the BR is, in a word "fun". The leadership is extremely professional and kindhearted which is a wonderful combination that inspires one to do ones best for them and the company.
A typical day for me starts in the afternoon which gives me ample time to get ready. I take time to put together an outfit from our collection and accessorize with statement necklaces etc. I feel like I amd going to a party every day. I especially enjoy looking good for work. It makes my job easier as our clients always notice my attire. I am on the floor mostly at Womens' but a couple of time a week at Men's. I work at the fitting rooms, I organize the floor, (which is no easy task) and am at cash/wrap as backup. I usually close the store and stay late to do so. (Also not an easy task but more relaxing without the many customers).
We work as a team and my co workers can count on me for any assistance. Some have become friends.
The best part of the job is the atomosphere of excitment with each new collection. The only time I come in early before the store opens is to train the staff on the new collection.
I also love meeting so many new people from all over the world. Selling our collection is a breeze as all our costumers are fans and trust us. I have the pleasure of dressing and accessorizing both men and women each day.
The hardest part is opening the BR credit cards. We have quotas each day and there is a lot of pressure, mostly on our leaders, to meet them.
My retail
Great company, great growth potential, excellent leadership
I loved working for Gap, Inc. My two store managers were huge influences on my development, and are people I strongly admire. I started as a sales associate, learned stockroom responsibilities, got promoted to stock sup when our old one left to work at J Crew (they carried men's XS, and he was a little guy). Spent a year and a half leading a team to completion of markdowns, promos, and shipment. Due to some personal reasons, I had to step down, but stayed on as an associate for another year and a half.
Fast forward a year, and one of the assistant managers messaged me asking if I'd be interested in coming back as stock sup. It's a better job at that point than it was when I held it (it's classified as full time, so benefits). I of course said yes, and talked to the store manager about it. A week or so later, he informed me of a sister store that was looking for an assistant manager. It was actually closer to where I lived at the time, so I applied there. I interviewed with their store manager, the district manager, and another store manager before getting the job. I worked at that store for almost a year and absolutely loved it. It was by far my favorite job that I've ever had. I only left because I moved halfway across the country.
The people, the culture, the job itself, were all fantastic. Gap Inc is a brand that truly values their employees, and in my experience, both of my store managers were all about developing talent within the store, and promoting from within. I k
Certain managers were exceptional with giving me support. Most of the service leaders are either rude, sassy, or slack off and chat with other co-workers they are friendly to. Never greets you unless you greet them first. They usually don't tell you to take a break unless you ask, but when you do they give rude remarks and if you ask through the walkie -- they ignore you.
Scheduling managers are unorganized and uninformed of changes to schedule even if brought up 2 weeks early. Every two weeks I get a call about not showing up for a shift I was clearly not assigned for. Yet they accuse me for being irresponsible and dishonest.
The physical environment and culture is great. Although moving the setup around very often can be extremely confusing, slows down go backs, and gives the customers the impression that you are unexperienced and clueless of where items are. It is very fast-paced and can be stressful during holidays and promotional events. Convincing customers to sign up for the BR card is top priority. No cards = useless employee.
Co-workers who have worked for over a year seem to be distant and are only supportive when they feel like it. They are nice and friendly to you one day then act like they don't know you and backstab the next. Working as a team is challenging. If you help out their customer, they will glare at you and give attitude.
The most enjoyable part for me is that I get to let go of current personal issues and focus on fulfilling customers' n
Pros$1 snacks and drinks from vending machine, 50% off discount, flexible hours
ConsPoor management/service leading, minimum wage, constant standing and manuvering, customers have high expections
Enjoyed my time at The start, but the end was horrible
I worked in the Willow Grove brach for one year and eight months. At the start it was very good. Within the first week I was trained on register and usually left on the floor alone. My first management would schedule me about 6-7 days a week while I was in college full time. I ended up taking more and more hours and then our manager, supervisor and GM all left. So I then received more hours and given the duties of learning the supervisor role. After a few months and the position was finally open for hire. When they announced it they already picked someone outside the banana republic brand. So my application was never even submitted.
I also had a very verbally abusive management at the end. I came back from a vacation and was ill for a week or so. I had a shift coming up and I called out 32 hours notice because I knew I couldn't make it. I went to urgent care 2 times and received medicine for a minor case of the flu. I went home and called out for the shift the next day as well because I knew that I couldn't make it.
The next morning I was feeling even worse and was back in urgent care. I go home and recieve a call from my work. I answer and its my manger yelling at me, screaming telling me that I'm recieving two no call no shows. After i had called out over a day in advance each time. I tried to calm him down and instead he got louder.
I reported him after the incident and had a call with HR. On this call I explained the situation and they told me I'm good to go b
This particular location has four separate managers, everyone is nice and friendly, but there is often confusion with simple procedures for common issues. Every manager sort of has their own way and their own standards, which employees kind of have to learn. Not the easiest to keep track of when you work with different managers for each shift.
The company itself has many confusing procedures, equipment (registers, LRT, etc.) can mess up causing issues for employees.
Again, this location deals with a ton of very vocal and difficult customers, but most retail locations deal with those types.
It's a retail job, poor pay, not much say in your schedule (if you're not available when they need help, you are sort of pushed into the store's preferred location. The company has "on call" scheduling, which is the most ridiculous aspect of all -- you are placed on the schedule for a set timeframe, but call about two hours before that time to check with a manager if the store will use your shift. If the store is over in hours, your hours will be cut. If not, they may use you and that "on call" shift will be "accepted." You're basically on hold for the store, and as someone who works multiple jobs, this system makes it very difficult to schedule other work or even schedule my own life, because the store has me on waiting list.
Retail, in general, is preferable as a part-time, unnecessary job. Something you are just doing for extra money, if you need it as a full-time job, the
ProsNice workers, decent discounts
ConsInconsistent procedures, short breaks, low pay, random scheduling, "on call" scheduling
Apologize for the long review, but very helpful if applying!!
Working here is back and forth. Sometimes, you'll get a lot of hours other days you won't. The managers have favourites and those people would get the most hours, and people struggling to do their best would only get 3 hours minimum. The co-workers however was the best part of working there because it was so easy to get a long with everyone. Though at the same time, most of the new co-workers had no idea what they were doing because management failed to train them properly, which caused a lot of frustration. They kept changing policies that have nothing to do with the business getting better, they just wanted to feel accomplished in some way which was very very annoying. They don't schedule enough hours to help clean up the store or train their employees to properly clean the store, thus the company/store get a lot of complaints from customers. The tidiness of the store was like a 1/10 almost everyday, which I don't blame the employees entirely, mostly the managers. They do not how to manage their own team and they ALWAYS find others to blame whenever they make a mistake. The management part of Banana Republic Factory store was the reason why I found another job. I used to like working there when we had better management. Ever since the change of the management i think no employee likes working there. There are some managers who will be friendly and helpful,though those same managers would be completely useless and just end up talking and delegating their work. Other than tha
Prosthe co-workers, flexible hours
Conslow pay, management, favoritism plays a big part, short hours/no hours, will not gain customer service experience
Great place to work with thorough training and great coworkers
A typical shift for me would be a morning shift, sometimes 4 hours, sometimes 8. For a 4 hour shift, I would help in the morning either with shipment, or replenishment/recovery, or cleaning/mopping the store. I would sweep for about 20 minutes, and then for an hour and a half, I would mop the store, and then recover the store (fold clothes on displays to make sure the store looked good when opened). I would then jump on cash, for the remainder of my shift. For an 8 hour shift, I would get my breaks, but still work on cash after we opened. I have learned a lot of things about a lot of things. I learned about types of pants, fits, styles of different items, and how to find the best fit for a customer. This job also helped me learn how to update my own style. Management at my store location has been absolutely incredible. It is filled with a bunch of young people, and young minded supervisors. They are always open to answering questions, and if you need anything, they do what they can to assist you with whatever you need. Workplace culture is great, it is always an upbeat environment, and all the coworkers are very fashion savvy, and have a great sense of what to match with what. The hardest part was working on speed, for myself personally, it took me a while to pick up the pace on a few things, and I am still working on it in some aspects. The most enjoyable part was that when we were dealing with a crazy sale, and had almost every employee working hard, my manager spoiled the
ProsAmazing coworkers and supervisors, thorough training, upbeat environment
ConsSeasonal position, not enough hours, early mornings
Questions And Answers about Banana Republic
If you were to leave Banana Republic, what would be the reason?
Asked Feb 9, 2018
I'd have moved on to something that pays more, closer to home. The convenience is why I stay.
Answered Jul 19, 2020
Poor management on the retail level they hire a bunch of kids with HUGE egos once they wear the “ manager” badge, who love to micro manage vs inspire/motivate
Answered Jul 8, 2020
How did you get your first interview at Banana Republic?
Asked Jul 17, 2016
I applied on the website Indeed, then got a message back for an interview one or days later.
Answered Nov 24, 2021
I applied for a part-time employee and after waiting a few days I got a call asking if I could have an in-store interview. When I went it was me and two other candidates and the manager. We sat outside and the manager asked us a few questions. It was fairly easy and being in the group setting made me more comfortable. after that, the manager said to wait until the end of the week for a phone call to see if the job was offered. Just got a phone call for the position now :)
Answered Oct 24, 2020
Do they drug test?
Asked Aug 25, 2017
No, they dont.
Answered Jul 19, 2020
No they don’t
Answered Nov 20, 2019
What is the most stressful part about working at Banana Republic?
Asked Jan 9, 2018
When managers are stressed out they tend to get extremely overwhelmed. Their anxiety turns into anger that is taken out on the people put in place to help and support them.
