Why does everyone look down their nose at retail jobs? (employees, credit)

[BackinHenderson]

I work as a retail manager. I relocated from KY to MN to take over this store that was struggling. Under my leadership this store increased almost $100 K in three months and was profitable for the first time ever. Decisions have now been made echeleons above me at the corporate level to close this store at the end of next month. I am now faced with the decision to relocate again or attempt to find another job. I am hoping to find a brand rep job within the same industry that would allow me to stay in the same location I'm currently in and just travel for work since I really didn't want to move until next fall.

Everyone I know is asking me why would I even consider retail. Their argument is that I have a four year degree and shouldn't even give retail a second thought. My degree is in business administration and I'm lefting scratching my head at what magical, mythical, office job they think I should just automatically get. I mean I haven't been doing this the past year now with the intent of staying in the retail trenches forever. I had hoped to spend two years with this company as a retail manager and then move up into the corporate office. Almost everyone in the company I work for that works in the corporate office started their careers at the retail store level. With what I was currently earning I was set to make over $40 K this year. I don't know many college grads with degrees in business that are making that much or more right now.

Why is it that everyone views retail as being low pay and inglorious?

[Rumble]

I don't think people look down upon them, it is more the perception of things you have to deal with as a professional are deemed undesirable:

- Primary workforce is generally part-time, high turnover sales associates who are usually just doing that job as a filler of some sort, thus they don't often take it seriously
- Unconventional hours
- Even the most ignorant customer has to be treated with respect no matter how much they are talking down to you
- Generally below average pay until the middle to executive ranks are reached

[GiantRutgersfan]

The pay is generally very poor and you have to work hours that are outside the norm.

What exactly are you doing? What kind of business is it?

Generally these jobs max out pretty quickly and the salary is not too great. For instance, I know CVS only pays store managers around 50k. Considering it is a pretty large store that sells pharmaceuticals, I would consider that pretty low. And once you reach that level,there is no higher position to strive for (unless possibly a corporate position, but that would involve completely changing your life and uprooting your family).

[BackinHenderson]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

The pay is generally very poor and you have to work hours that are outside the norm.

What exactly are you doing? What kind of business is it?

Generally these jobs max out pretty quickly and the salary is not too great. For instance, I know CVS only pays store managers around 50k. Considering it is a pretty large store that sells pharmaceuticals, I would consider that pretty low. And once you reach that level,there is no higher position to strive for (unless possibly a corporate position, but that would involve completely changing your life and uprooting your family).

I sell shoes. The keyword being SELL. I teach my staff how to sell and build rapport. I do work more hours than many of my counterparts, between 60-70 a week. In a larger volume store, with my work ethic and sales competency I could make between $60 to $70 K.

I was hoping to end game at the corporate office in Nashville in the next couple of years. I could see at least VP of something by the time I'm 40.

Being flexible to move helps out in your ability to move up and since I'm divorced I don't have as many obstacles as others. I don't disagree about the quality of part-time sales associates you get, but I have served as an officer in the United States Army and I credit that experience with helping me motivate and provide direction to the variety of personalities I encounter in my part-time sales staff.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by BackinHenderson

Why is it that everyone views retail as being low pay and inglorious?

Certainly not everyone does and those who do are invariably those who've either no experience whatsoever in the field or whose experience has been working as a grocery store bagger or a dime store cashier while in high school.

I have many friends in the retail business who'd scoff at such a generalization. Things have definitely slacked off in the last few years but that's true of any business. Ignore the idiots!

[Hemlock140]

The real benefit to working in retail management is the experience in dealing with employees, that can be used to get a better management position later. I do know many people that made more than $50,000 right out of college with a business degree, however these days such graduates are lucky to find anything at all. Where I work currently an entry level administrative assistant with no degree required makes a little over $40,000 but with little chance of advancement. If someone with retail
management goes in at entry level to another kind of business, and gained experience with the work, they could advance. Remaining in retail means a long time before getting to a store manager position, and that's only if someone leaves, and the store remains open.

[edwardianlady]

Americans in general are stickup snobs.They look down on anything that is low paying and beneath them.This includes all low paying jobs not just retail.

[BackinHenderson]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

. Remaining in retail means a long time before getting to a store manager position, and that's only if someone leaves, and the store remains open.

I am already a store manager, and as I said if you move, you can advance quite quickly. The problem is most people have a tough time leaving what they know.

As far as timeline to get promoted it depends on how aggressive you are. I was a manager in training for another company previously for seven months. I had more experience in leadership than other trainees plus my degrees but they were continously getting offered stores and they were all getting cold feet because they were scared to leave their hometowns. I was told I needed more training and needed to wait. I applied with a competitor and took this job that I'm at now where I put up $100 k in volume gains in just three months. You can't be scared to leave and you need to have loyalty only to yourself.

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by BackinHenderson

I sell shoes...
I was hoping to end game at the corporate office in Nashville in the next couple of years. I could see at least VP of something by the time I'm 40.

My dad did the same thing you are...they moved us around every year or so while I was in school. When he went to work at Corpoate in Nashville he didn't like it too much. I have a feeling we are talking about the same company; how about you? G?

[Fiyero]

Probably because the pay is lousy in most type of sales associate/cashier type retail (your typical mall clothing stores/department stores), and it's viewed as an unskilled job like a Waiter.

Now, if you are really good at sales and take a commission based job at a high end fashion boutique, yeah you can do pretty well. But I'm sure it's astronomically hard to get those jobs and do well at them.

I've thought of retail because I like fashion/modeling, but I hate having to build a clientele and meet daily quotas for sales. Too much pressure.