I’ve worked tons of retail, a lot of different places. I like some of retail, working with customers, being busy.
As far as a job now, I know what I don’t want. I don’t want to work in an incentive based position. It’s similar to commission except you get more and better hours based on how much you sell. If you think the salesperson is a little aggressive, it’s because all of their sales (and returns) are being tracked. Some retail is commissioned, Nordstrom used to be but I’m not sure how it is now. But very little is commissioned
I’d rather not work for a retailer that has a very generous return policy. I worked for such a place years ago and I still remember the person who returned all of her used bathing suits because she could. It was gross, we had another customer who returned her child’s clothing after she outgrew it and bought new.
But that’s the problem with retail. 99% of your customers are great, it’s the 1% of truly awful customers that get to you.
I also worked for a place that had on call hours. You were scheduled and had to call 2 hours before your shift to see if they needed you. No pay if they didn’t. I couldn’t make plans on the off chance I was needed. No thank you.
As far as where I’d like to work now, I’d love the discount they get at lululemon. I’d consider working at my kinda local Talbots because the managers and clerks are really great. And whenever I’ve been in there, I’ve not seen any abhorrent behavior from the customers.
But I don’t think that there is anyplace that’s open M-F until 6, and let’s me take plenty of time off for more than not great wages. Most retail wants all of you, all of the time for very little money.