retail assistant manager

retail store manager

retail sales associate

sales associate

asset protection specialist

DTLR, Inc

What is the best part of working at the company?
As an assistant manager, I was flown to different cities and states for training workshops that were fully paid. They invest in their employees to learn the best ways to handle situations and for personal growth. You learn a lot about policy and how they would like things done.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working with managers and coworkers that had no integrity. It was hard to implement the things that I had learned and to assert myself in my position because I was always being made to feel as if asserting myself in my position as an assistant manager was downplayed by management itself who had favoritism towards certain employees that were disrespectful. They had unrealistic expectations of traveling out of state to work at a different store for training and didn't consider things like traffic and the amount of time it would take to go to a different state for training at a different store that you weren't even going to work at. They also didn't offer you that state's pay that's more than your pay at your state.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Favoritism. If management liked you you could get away with anything. If management had a problem with you you were critiqued about everything you did and made to feel like you weren't doing your job efficiently. But the people favored it could do whatever they want call off. Come in late. Be disrespectful to other employees. And all of it was allowed by management. It made for a frustrating work atmosphere and created tension in the workplace.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Expectations of the necessary duties for my job position were fair. Although I found myself processing shipment more than other assistant managers because management favored the opposite assistant manager who had been there longer. Management and that assistant manager had an inappropriate relationship that was more of a friendship that made favoritism always evident. Instead of processing shipment I should have been performing other duties as an assistant manager, this would be when there was plenty of sales associates around to do this shipment. Favoritism was the main issue I had with this company, I did a lot of grunt work instead of what was my expectations of my job position because of the manager being unfair.

During this part-time position i have Delivered excellent customer service by greeting and assisting each customer. Addressed customer inquiries and resolved complaints. Opened a new store location and assisted in recruiting and training new staff. Stocked and restocked inventory when shipments were received. Reorganized the sales floor to meet company demands. Directed and supervised employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking and reconciling cash receipts. Determined staff promotions and demotions, and terminated employees when necessary. Fulfilled customer shipping needs using FEDEX and UPS methods. Completed weekly schedules according to payroll policies. Trained staff to deliver outstanding customer service. Addressed and corrected sales staff communication issues in a tactful and effective manner. Worked closely with the district manager to formulate and build the store brand. Arranged items in favorable positions and areas of the store for optimal sales. Organized and located inventory and updated store spreadsheets. Upheld stock levels and proper pricing for multiple product lines. Authorized payment of invoices and return of merchandise. Conducted staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise. Processed an average of 200 transactions each day in a timely manner. Opened and closed the store, which included counting cash drawers and making bank deposits. Helped customers select products that best fit their personal needs. Maintained visually appealing and effective displays for the entire store. Educated customers on product and service offerings. Offered exceptional customer service to differentiate and promote the company brand. Consulted with customers on the latest styles and trends. Kept the sales floor clean and maintained neat, orderly product displays. Built customer confidence by actively listening to their concerns and giving appropriate feedback. Communicated store policy violations to the leadership team in a timely manner. Offered direction and gave constructive feedback to motivate team members. Built and maintained effective relationships with peers and upper management. Recruited, hired, developed and retained retail talent for the company. Processed shipments and maintained organized stock shelves. Marked clearance products with updated price tags.

Their are some positives and some negatives about working at DTLR, like most places. 
I will start positive:
- The discount is phenomenal (when it is applied). 40% on clothes and 30% on shoes as a manager, but you are not allowed to use it on Retros and other "tier 2" items, until two weeks after the release date (most pairs are gone by then).
- The environment is a plus, there are a lot of great people to meet, and most of the people you will work with and interact with are likeminded people who enjoy fashion. 
- The workload in comparison to some jobs can be way less some days, other days not so much. But for the most part the workload is what I would consider to be pretty consistent on a day to day basis. 
The bad:
- Corporate is so unbelievably out of touch with some things. You and your store are viewed strictly as a number and not much else. There is very limited opportunity for growth and pay raises, which makes it hard to keep loyal employees. Turnover rate for employees can be terrible at times. They DO NOT give raises, only promotions. Only part-time employment job that I know that does this.
- Hours, there aren't normal hours, it is no 9-5, but no retail job is ever going to have normal hours. As a full-time employee making a part time wage, you are always expected to meet your 40-hour work week, and even as an hourly employee, you have to use PTO to have time off.
- Unrealistic expectations... Expect them. Like I said earlier, corporate is out of touch. They sell the job on the fact that there are bonuses on top of your pay, unless you are a high end store in a rich area, you won't get those bonuses. The economy is terrible and of course sales will reflect that. People cannot afford a rising shoe market in an economy where 70% of a normal household paycheck is going towards just housing. 
- No customer loyalty, they are stripping programs that used to be beneficial for customers, and of course these things make customers mad. They have no loyalty to their customers because things like a discount program, or even a military discount don't exist. 

All in all this job is a very manageable middle of the road type of job. I wouldn't bank on it as a full-time career, but can be used as an in between gig. I am happy working here for now, but I know I will be elsewhere in the future. 

DTLR is a good company to work for if you want to enhance your management experience. They do have a promote from within structure but once you've been promoted and if you're a part of the Chicago management team be prepared for the worst. First of all there is no work/life balance. You're expected to put the company before your family. Then you have to deal with a District Manager that is incompetent, very immature and childish, and plays favoritism. If you're not a part of the "clique" be advised that your job is not secure. The District Manager disregard the Store Managers that have contributed to the success of the Chicago region. The same managers that were there before him and the same managers that make it appear as if he's doing his job which he isn't. He creates conflict between Store managers and Assistant managers by talking about each one to the other behind their backs than lie about it when a hostile environment is created. He gives the assistant managers the impression that its okay to step on the Store Managers toes and overstep their boundaries. He does this by dogging the managers to assistants making the assistants feel like their the Store Managers. So if u choose to work for this company beware of the Chicago region. The corporation office is shady too. Get in gain your experience and get out.

A typical day at work consisted of, coming in an hour in a half before the store opened, deeming it unnecessary at times. Though, at times that could be a good thing, because if you experienced rushes during the Covid 19 era, like most retail stores did, it was impossible for a full recovery at the end of the night before. If you're in upper management, DO NOT let them play in your face in regards to your stores Matrix hours. You would think high volume stores would have a lot of Matrix hours to improve the productivity of the staff, right? NO, They see numbers in corporate and think this is just enough. I received the bare minimum and was leading a high volume store. They talk about supporting the staff, its a bunch of bull. Take them FMLA leaves and use that Short Term Disability, if you need to get back right mentally before you decide to allow that job to consume you and your thoughts. They will let you come work if you were involved in an incident, say they have to talk to HR in the process, continue to let you work, then discharge you. Corporate needs to do more listening to the employee vs. sitting behind desks giving out new policies that were stupid. The company needs to do better demographically, meaning allow those people in said areas to help to bring more money into the stores. If you are in management expect to work between 46-48 hours (no its not overtime as a store manager) 

During a regular workday I was responsible for opening the store and communicating daily goals, and duties. We would service our patrons informing them of our daily sales and new product. During my time with DTLR I learned how to manage a different type of customer, expanding my ability to service your urban consumer. Management remained involved with their subordinates, and ensured we had the proper tools needed to lead an effective staff. My co-workers varied in personality which gave us a very exciting, and diverse working environment. The hardest part of the job, was not doing your job; the communication and flow I implemented within my store made it diffucult to under perform. I constantly gave feedback and praise to all employees, encouraging positive work habits. The most enjoyable part of the job for me were our busiest miments, I enjoyed when the traffic seemed to be overwhelming, those were the moments when I felt I was most effective, in overseeing, servicing, and preventing loss. I noticed the busier moments provided perfect opprotunity for me to learn working styles and gave me more background for future coaching opprotunities.

My typical day of work would consist of me waking up early in the morning, meeting up with the shipment truck driver outside the mall before it opens. We unload the truck the shipment that belongs to my store, set them on carts, and then wait for security to unlock the doors. Once we are inside the mall, we wait on the manager who opens up the store that day (it varies throughout the week). From then on, the manager signs the truck drivers statement (which is usually on a clipboard), and I unload the shipment from the carts, putting them neatly in the stock room. This can take from 1-5 hours depending on how much shipment we received Once I finish with shipment, I either straighten up the stock shelves, clean the stock room, transfer/receive Fed Ex shipment, or go on the sales floor as a Sales Associate. I've learned the values of great salesmanship and the qualities of being a great salesman. While dealing with stock, I am there earlier than most of my co-workers, so we rarely interact. I wouldn't consider anything I do to be hard. Once I learn and am trained in my field, everything becomes easier as the days go by. The most enjoyable part of the job to me would be when I'm a sales associate, and I am interacting with many customers frequently.

DTLR is a Culture that no other company provides. Growth is huge with DTLR and its grown within. The mantra is giving customers the best shopping experience. Being part of a team, having integrity, longevity and commitment and being the face of the culture.  Work may entail longer hours especially in management, however communicating in advance your hours are flexible. Great leadership is key to the success of any business,  attendance is crucial to sustain that business. The company offers great benefits, bonus program, opportunity to grow and climb to the heights you choose to with hard work and dedication in retail at all levels. 
All companies have policies & procedures and when you join any company you have to invest time into reading handbooks and ask questions before you join, if not complaining afterwards is the fault of self not the company.
DTLR is a company who has been successful for 40 years and still growing. If given the opportunity make the best of it by suggesting changed to help change what may not be working versus bash a company leaving without making suggestions for change.  


As an employee I basically had orders barked to me by the assistant manager who stayed on her phone all day and did absolutely nothing but talk to various men on the store phone while us associates did all the work. She also started a lot of childish rumors amongst associates making it a hostile work environment. New store manager was awful. He left the store unattended numerous times and we'd have to tell customers to come back to purchase because only managers are allowed on the register. Even has his own nephew working there which is against store policy.  Morale of the store dwindling compared to what it was before... stock room a mess. Salesfloor a mess. Customers constantly complain about lack of customer service. District manager knew what was going on and she continued to do nothing. I was basically written off the schedule by the new store manager for no apparent reason but am glad because it was getting out of hand there.  I see why previous employees have left...

This can be a fun job but if you have any other aspirations it's not going to work for you. They are pretty good about working with school schedules and will schedule you for around 15 hours a week. Not much flexibility in getting more hours consistently. Find a second part-time job and some slight disdain is shown from management. 

Work as hard as you want. If you don't brown-nose with the right people you won't see any advancement. Despite impeccable reviews. Politics just like anywhere else. 

Three years. One raise. 

Zero company culture. Which was probably the biggest deal breaker. Business model is great though because there is a never ending supply of high schoolers and college kids to whom the job seems to have a certain allure so the job is always coveted. 

After making store manager or assistant manager, start looking for a new job. You may sit stagnant in one of those positions for years. Literally. The company is rapidly expanding so there are always new stores opening.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Retail assistant manager 315 salaries reported	$16.14 per hour
Retail store manager 43 salaries reported	$19.73 per hour
Retail sales associate 13 salaries reported	$14.49 per hour
Sales associate 1 salary reported	$16.00 per hour
Asset protection specialist 4 salaries reported	$50,000 per year

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