What Is the Best Retail Store to Work at
When applying for a job, it's important to consider not only the position but also the company. While many retail companies offer similar positions, the benefits they provide to their employees often make certain positions stand out compared to others. Knowing the best jobs in retail available can help you narrow down your search to worthwhile positions in this industry. In this article, we explain the benefits of working in retail and list 19 of the best retail stores to work for.
Related: Retail Work: The Definitive Guide
What are the benefits of working in retail?
As with any industry, the retail industry offers many benefits to its employees. While the specific benefits you receive in a retail position vary by company, many retailers offer some of the same advantages. Here are some of the main benefits of working in retail:
Greater people skills
Working in retail allows you to interact face-to-face with customers. Communicating regularly throughout your workday can help improve your interpersonal skills and puts you in touch with people you may have never met otherwise.
Flexible scheduling
Many retail employers offer flexible hours for their employees, making it easier for you to find a work schedule that fits your personal schedule. This type of scheduling even makes it easier for students or part-time employees who have another job apart from their retail position.
Employee discounts
Most companies offer employee discounts on their products and services. Therefore, apart from regular sales the retailer offers, you can also take advantage of these added sales as an employee.
Physical activity
Retail employees typically work on their feet all day long. As opposed to desk jobs where you remain sedentary for most of your shift, a retail position involves a lot of physical movement which can help improve your energy levels.
Growth opportunities
Working professionals in this industry have more opportunities to advance into new roles with greater responsibilities such as managerial positions.
Related: 15 Retail Jobs That Pay Well
Popular retail companies
As one of the largest employers in the U.S., the retail industry offers many positions at a variety of different companies. While the pay for a retail position varies, you can often find the highest-paying retail jobs at some of the industry's leading retailers. Knowing which of these companies offers the best compensation and employee benefits can help you find a worthwhile position in the retail industry.
Here are 17 of the best places to work in retail based on the employee compensation and benefits they provide. For the most up-to-date salary information, check on the business website link.
Costco Wholesale
Known for its warehouse club business structure, Costco sells a variety of products including groceries, televisions, automotive supplies, sporting goods, apparel and furniture. It also offers employment to job seekers across its 782 stores worldwide. While pay varies by position, you might earn around an hourly rate of $12.96 per hour for a grocery associate position and up to $50.60 for a food manager position. In comparison, salary ranges tend to range from $20,000 to $92,623.
Costco also offers its employees plenty of other benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, parental leave and paid time off. As with many retailers, this chain retailer offers plenty of room for advancement such as to a store manager position.
Nordstrom
Established in 1901 and headquartered in Seattle, Wash., Nordstrom has over 350 stores between the U.S. and Canada. This retailer employs both part-and full-time employees and offers many employee benefits including paid time off, employee discounts and both health and dental insurance. In terms of wages, Nordstrom employees can expect to earn approximately $10.39 to $25 per hour for hourly employees and salaries around $20,396 to $69,311 per year for salaried positions.
Lululemon Athletica
This Canadian athletic apparel retailer offers employment in a variety of positions such as store clerks, visual merchandisers and key leaders. In terms of benefits, Lululemon offers its employees free classes in its stores. It also reimburses its employees for participating in community-based health and wellness programs. These perks aim to motivate its employees to live a more fulfilled and healthier lifestyle overall. Lululemon employees can expect to earn around $13.66 to $19.40 per hour for hourly employees and $20,000 to $36,662 per year for salaried positions.
Trader Joe's
With headquarters in Monrovia, Calif., Trader Joe's continues to provide a quality company culture and plenty of flexibility regarding its employees' shift schedules. When you can create a schedule conducive to your needs, you're more apt to find a greater work-life balance.
This grocery chain also offers benefits such as insurance plans, paid time off and retirement plans to help you save for later on in life. Trader Joe's employees can expect to earn approximately $11.27 to $21.49 per hour for hourly positions and $18,178 to $66,709 per year for salaried positions.
HEB
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and founded in 1905, HEB has over 385 store locations. As one of the nation's largest independently owned food retailers, HEB employs thousands of working professionals looking for part- or full-time opportunities. HEB also offers competitive benefits like health insurance, regular raises and growth opportunities. HEB employees may earn around $9.28 to $22.47 per hour for hourly employees. Salaries at HEB range from around $17,000 to $84,468 per year.
Nebraska Furniture Mart
Known as the largest home furnishing store in North America, Nebraska Furniture Mart employs both part- and full-time staff members and offers a fast-paced environment for its employees to thrive. It offers its employees perks like paid time off, professional development opportunities and competitive pay. At Nebraska Furniture Mart, you can earn about $12.50 to $19.27 per hour or $24,000 to $87,210 per year for a salaried position.
Wegmans Food Markets
Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., this family-owned supermarket chain has stores spanning the U.S. Founded in 1916 by the Wegman family, Wegmans Food Markets continues to operate with a devoted customer base and over 50,000 employees.
Wegmans offers many benefits to its employees including health insurance, paid time off, employee discount and a retirement plan. It also offers a scholarship program for its young hires and throws each staff member a birthday party. Wegmans employees can earn around $9.65 to $27 per hour or $19,000 to $57,253 per year for salaried positions.
ABC Supply Co.
As one of the largest wholesale retailers of roofing, building products and related supplies in the U.S., ABC Supply Co. offers plenty of perks for its employees. Along with benefits like health insurance and paid time off, employees can earn a salary ranging from $12.96 to $20.65 per hour or a salary ranging from $28,500 to $82,065 per year.
Discount Tire
Known as the world's largest independent tire and wheel retailer, Discount Tire offers employment across its many U.S. locations. Discount Tire employees get to work in an organized environment while earning lucrative pay. As a Discount Tire employee, you can expect to earn around $9.28 to $22.47 per hour or $17,000 to $84,468 per year.
Not only does Discount Tire offer competitive pay, but it also offers its employees regular bonuses and raises. Some of the other benefits it offers include 401(k) matching, dental insurance, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan. Also, the company helps you achieve a healthy work-life balance with flexible scheduling.
Nike
While it is known for its athletic footwear, Nike also offers apparel, athletic equipment and accessories designed specifically for sports and fitness-related activities. Nike offers its employees generous benefits in the form of health insurance, employee discounts, paid time off and a retirement plan. Nike employees can earn around $10.50 to $46.24 per hour or $20,000 to $133,004 per year for salaried positions.
Best Buy
Known as a large retailer of technology products, Best Buy employs individuals in the U.S. and Canada. This retail giant offers a variety of technology products including computers and flat-screen TV sets. Some of the benefits Best Buy offers its employees include medical and vision plans, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employee discounts, adoption assistance and 401(k) plans. Best Buy employees can earn approximately $9.85 to $24 per hour or $21,794 to $80,632 per year for salaried positions.
Lowe's
This home improvement store offers retail positions across its 2,200 U.S. and Canada locations. Some of the benefits Lowe's offers include retirement, health and life insurance, as well as paid time off and parental leave. Lowe's employees may earn an hourly pay of $11.26 to $21.45 per hour or a salary ranging from $18,308 to $76,897 per year.
Sam's Club
Established in 1983 and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, the grocery chain known as Sam's Club has nearly 600 stores in the U.S. This warehouse retailer offers eligible employees benefits like stock purchasing plans, parental leave, health insurance and college tuition assistance. Sam's Club employees may earn $10.70 to $17.14 per hour or $17,000 to $74,101 per year for salaried positions.
Gap
Founded in 1969 in San Francisco, this global fashion empire is home to several brands including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta to name a few. As of 2019, Gap operates 3,345 company-owned stores and 574 franchise locations. It also offers several perks for its employees including health care plans, 401(k), commuter benefits and product discounts. As a Gap employee, you can expect to earn about $10 to $62.45 per hour or $21,881 to $150,000 per year in a salaried position.
Staples
Staples sells retail office supplies in all of its stores across the globe. This retailer offers its employees several benefits including health coverage, employee discounts and 401(k) plans. Staples employees can expect to earn $9.85 to $22.34 per hour in an hourly position or $19,734 to $102,086 per year in a salaried position.
Publix
As the largest employee-owned grocery store chain in the United States, there's no doubt that this company values its workforce. Headquartered in Lakeland, Fla., Publix has over 206,000 employees in over 1,200 stores. Not only does it offer a rewarding career path, but it also offers a great earning potential for each of its employees. Publix employees can expect to earn approximately $18,439 to $116,246 per year in a salaried position or $9.85 to $20 per hour in an hourly position.
In addition to competitive pay, Publix also offers plenty of employee benefits. One of these benefits includes tuition reimbursement. Even its part-time employees can take advantage of this benefit once they've worked there for at least six months.
Nugget Market
This family of grocery stores fosters professional development through classes, college scholarships and even field trips for its employees. It's also worth noting that as of February 2020, Nugget Market has never had a layoff in its 94-year history.
In terms of employee benefits, Nugget Market employees can receive a 401(k) match, zero health care premiums and flexible scheduling. Nugget Market employees may earn $12.62 to $18.33 per hour as an hourly employee.
Types of jobs in retail
If you're interested in a career in retail, there are many available job options in this field and similar fields. Here are 10 similar jobs for you to consider:
1 . Customer service representative
2 . Sales agent
3 . Real estate agent
4 . Visual merchandiser
5 . Product advertiser
6 . Supply chain manager
7 . Security and loss prevention
8 . Product purchaser
9 . Server
10 . Social media manager
What Is the Best Retail Store to Work at
Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/best-jobs-in-retail