retail sales associate

stocking associate

administrative assistant

seasonal retail sales associate

packer

Duluth Trading Company

The Fargo store is a well-laid out, comfortable store with very nice customers.

Working as a Sales Associate you will learn the many features of our clothing & items, so you have to be able to differentiate their features.  For example, you would recommend one pair of pants with fire-resistant fabric for a welder or fireman, but a different pair a pants for someone who will only be operating heavy equipment.  Many features are "job specific," so having some knowledge of construction, welding, manufacturing, etc. will help you understand the features.  From my discussions with co-workers/managers, not all cared that our customers had the clothes with the correct features.  However, many of the customers specifically bought from Duluth Trading because of those features.  In fact, many drove hundreds of miles just to shop (in-store) at our store.  I talked with many who had just left one of my co-workers/store manager who told them we didn't have something, and the customers were literally walking out of the store, that I was then able to provide the correct features/clothing.

I don't know what the disconnect is in the Store Manager or co-workers routinely not caring whether or not the customer receives the items they are accustomed to getting with Duluth Trading, but to me doing that is  very poor service.  So, if you come to work here and notice this, you (yourself) just go make a difference in how the customer is treated by actively listening to their needs, and find/show them what they are looking for.  I find it very easy to make the customers happy, and they will be happy to let you show them all the things they want to buy from Duluth, because they know the high quality and value. 

Unlike any other retailer I have worked for, this store is unique in that much of the product sits in the back in a huge unorganized mess.  I thought at first it was because product just hadn't been brought out, but over time, nothing changed.  Any other retailer, product is constantly being replenished, and at least some attempt to organize the back stockroom.  Compounding matters is the Store Manager literally telling sales staff to tell the customer "we don't have it," or tell the customer to "shop online."  Many of our customers drive hundreds of miles just to shop "in-person", so it seems rude to tell the customer this, when our inventory says we have enough in-store to justify sales staff  looking for it.

I anticipated a Store Manager who was factual and interested in her employees ensuring the store was well-stocked, and customers taken care of, but instead was put into a culture where the Manager's words and actions were unnecessary, manipulative, divisive, not true, or categorically not in the best interest of the store. Even my first hour, two assistant managers were discussing the new Store Manager (apparently unnecessarily) causing problems about another Assistant Manager.  That conversations being my first hour in the store, my having witnessed obsessive communication from the Store Manager myself, and almost arguments between the Store Manager and an Assistant Manager (that I respected and enjoyed working with), it appears to be a pattern with the Store Manager.  If you find yourself in that situation, my advice is that you have to realize that the Corporate Office wanted the Store Manager to be there, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Well, what can I say? The work was simple enough yet training staff always made everything a little more stressful and more complicated than things needed to  be. I was "hired" thru a staffing agency yet they seemed to believe that I wasn't technically their employee so I was treated as a guest. I was never given a fob, or any credentials as the lead made me believe temps didn't receive credentials even though my fellow co-workers that were staffed thru the same agency were treated respectfully and even given a Picture ID card, as well as a fob. I know this to be certain as my extended family member was also given the job thru my agency as well. I didn't make a big deal as I don't like to accuse anyone of being prejudice, or being discrimatory if it isn't the case. I felt like I was being used, and most of my ideas were taken and they implemented most of my suggestions, yet I never received praise or compensation for having helped them better their operations and management skills. I kept getting told that I was to be hired, and that I was doing a great job. They also made me feel like I was constantly being singled out as they seemed to expect more out of me and let other people get away with those same issues I was being questioned about and even scolded about. They kept on switching the process and I just felt like I wasn't welcome by the staff. I observed how they mocked "special needs" people and always said things in an "antagonizing" manner. I liked the job as I have done something similar in the past, yet I guess being "too good" at your job makes them insecure about how well they do theirs. I don't see any other reason as to why they would all of a sudden back out from the offer of employment they had extended as well as the hours I was told I could pick up after the first peak period. If I was intentionally giving unfair treatment, then I guess the only thing I can do now is seek compensation for being treated wrongfully. I never had a problem with staff, but I also never allowed anyone to have a bad opinion about me either, as I am very friendly and get along with everyone. I still am in contact with some co-workers that are witness to the kind of treatment I was given. It's not the best paying job, but I was working hard to prove my worth. Guess that didn't matter to them though. I'm sorry things didn't work out for them. I wish they would have told me that I should apply for another job as I was under the impression I had landed the opportunity already. Either way, I am looking forward to making a little more elsewhere. Thanks for the opportunity either way. I learned a lot and how some people really are behind the friendly faces they put on.

I got a seasonal job at Duluth, and let me tell you it was down hill as soon as I started. I was a Picker/Packer and for the first couple weeks, I was enjoying it. I just kept to myself and did my job to the best of my ability and asked for help when needed. Otherwise, none of the management talked to me about anything and they showed the list of employees picking completion %, and I was at 99% which I felt a lot of pride in because it meant I was doing pretty good for just starting out on the job. Fast forward a couple weeks, I wasn’t picking as much as the management kept sending me to different departments that I was not familiar with. All of the sudden my percentages were going down and I wasn’t getting as much of my bonuses due to that. Then a couple more weeks go by, they sent me to the “cage” where people swapped ID cards for radios, scanners, etc. This job was stupidly easy, I only worked for 10% of my shift because nobody needed radios while they were working because they already got everything they needed at the beginning of their shift. It was fun for a little bit I will admit, but soon all the other employees started giving me weird looks since I was in the cage not doing anything. Then a lot of people started gossiping about me saying how I was in there “for a good reason” I never got any closure for what kind of reason I was in the cage. Then I started realizing I was not making any bonuses due to the fact I was in the cage. I was then given a lot of tedious work which I was ok with because it gave me something to do so other people would stop complaining to management I wasn’t doing anything. I was happy doing some work for people if they needed it. But then management started overloading the work I was doing. I basically had a pallet of boxes, I had to rip open the boxes, grab one of the items, reach in the bag and grab a part of the tag, and rip off the bottom part, repair the bag, and repackage and reseal the items in the box. On one occasion I had to count how many items were in each box. And while I was doing it some co workers would come up to me and yell a bunch of random numbers to mess me up so I had to start over. Sometimes I was so busy caught up doing that work that sometimes I wouldn’t be in the cage when people needed me, I would be then be yelled at by certain management and or co workers for not being in the cage when I was suppose to. And I was also not getting any type of bonuses for doing all this work like I was while I was a Picker Packer. I started to ask several different people to please move me back to a different department that was not the cage. (I was trained in 3 departments at this point) but no one fulfilled my request. So that is my experience at Duluth.

My review only pertains to the Returns Center located in Verona, WI:

Since becoming a publicly-traded company, the work environment has gone from fun and easy-going to unnecessarily stressful and unpleasant. Management no longer has any interest in employees' health and well-being and policy decisions are now strictly based on profitability.

Part-time employees who were originally hired to work 12-18 hours a week are now mandated to work 24-32 hours a week and are scheduled during times when they are not available due to having a full-time job. Management refuses to negotiate and threatens employees with an "occurrence" if they don't work these mandated hours - leading up to eventual termination.

Our positions are primarily clerical, but we are not allowed to sit during our shift unless we have a doctor's note to do so. We are forced to stand in one place on a concrete floor (with a thin rubber mat) for the entire shift. When management was asked for the reason for this recent policy change, the repeated response was simply, "it says so in the position description." My opinion is that, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. 

The work stations are extremely non-ergonomic unless you are over 6 feet tall. Their height is too high to sit (if you are allowed to) and too low to stand, There are work stations with different heights, but we are not allowed to choose a comfortable work station. Taller workers stuck at a short station have resorted to sticking wooden blocks under the legs, but there is no resolution for short workers stuck at tall stations.

Temperatures in the warehouse are also poorly regulated - especially in the summer, when the temperature is in the high-90s most days and there is no air conditioning.

There is an extensive interviewing and vetting process. Not just anyone can work here. They want the best. There is no set amount of time per call, but you want to move quickly and do whatever is necessary for a "one call resolution". There are no scripts except for some suggested verbiage for certain situations. The company allows you to use your personality and sensibilities to develop your own style of interaction. The company tracks everything you do - lots of metrics. At random intervals your calls will be recorded and critiqued. The company really wants you to succeed and will do anything to help you. You must genuinely want to help people and take ownership of the customer's issue etc. There will be the occasional "escalated" customer, but you learn not to take it personally, deal with them as best you can, and transfer them to a supervisor if needed. There is great satisfaction in taking a customer who is a little "hot" coming into the call and turning the situation around so they are smiling at the end. 

Be prepared and focused to handle rapid task switching (formerly known as multi-tasking) for hours on end with calls coming in quickly one after another. Learn to make the most of your breaks. Learn how to manage eye strain and sitting for hours at a time. 

DTC was a retail store unlike any other. We were encouraged to have fun and joke with customers, the majority of whom are fairly laid back and easy to work with. Advertising is spot on and folks come into our stores expecting some humor and a laid back attitude. 

When we first opened, we were laid back and customers were allowed to shop and browse at their leisure with folks ready to assist when they were needed. Because all companies must change and adapt to the times, the culture on the sales floor has become much more aggressive. By no means are we expected to be pushy and nag shoppers, but we are more "salesy" than before. Some customers really appreciate this, others not so much. The change is also leading to associates on all levels looking to jump ship. 

Work/life balance is okay. While they emphasize an importance on work/life balance, the follow through isn't always there. Weekends and holidays are the bread & butter in retail and it's no different at Duluth. Getting a weekend off can be quite the task and definitely don't plan on being part of family gatherings during the holidays. The company used to be closed on July 4th & New Year's Day but are now open limited hours, and while they do have limited hours on other holidays - Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve,  & New Year's Eve - it feels like it's only a matter of time until this also changes. 

Overall, it's a solid retail company to be part of. Expect to be in the store more than home through most of the year if you're part of the leadership team. Customers are fun, easy, and generally seem to be more understanding overall but you will run into a few high maintenance folks. 

Many things are changing within the company. Large growth is unfortunately affecting decisions and is not considerate of employees. Mandatory weekends once/quarter would not be too bad except if you work 2nd shift most times you will be forced to work on a different shift, namely 1st shift, wherein you lose part of your shift bonus. When you are asked what department you would like to work in, and they place you there, don't count on that being your job. You will be crosstrained in areas you have no interest in for one reason or another but it will not matter. If you have problems being on your feet or you have back issues, some of these jobs are brutal in that regard. It's a warehouse. You will be walking a lot. Benefits are great, however! There is a lot of gossip, misinformation and there is a serious lack of communication between shift leads. Pertinent information to perform jobs and schedule changes are not regularly shared in a timely manner to all shifts. There is no drug test for any employee who won't be on a forklift. Many great people work very hard here and take their job seriously. But many get away with laziness on a daily basis. Peak season is a lot of hours (50/wk mandatory) but aside from pay you get a bonus for all the hours worked over 40 within the 6 weeks or so of peak. Peak season is a difficult time anyway with the hours, but seasonal employees are not trained well. Many are also very young and don't behave appropriately and have very little said about it to them.

Working at Duluth Trading Company is like having a team of excellent players like the Green Bay Packers or the Kansas City Chiefs.  But putting a group of managers or coaches from the Jacksonville Jaguars or the New York Jets in charge of this group of people.  Why would you do that?  Very good question, but that is what you have here in Bellville.
They seem to celebrate and promote bad behavior over good productivity.  If you try hard, work well and show up for work on time, you can be overlooked, disregarded and ignored.
The management team focus more on customer satisfaction and getting items out the back door then their employees who are assisting them with that process.  There seems to zero accountability, they don’t track your productivity or care how hard you work or if you even do your job.
If you like to work and take pride in your productivity, look elsewhere.  If you like to do as little as possible, fly under the radar, play on your phone or stand and talk or complain most of your shift, than this may be the place and job for you.

Helping Customers, Having Fun and working with a great group of people. The culture is super diverse, everyone working toward the goal of great customer service. Management is over the top WONDERFUL. The company cares, really cares about the employees. Safety of Employees and Customers is taken very seriously. You will not find a better place to work. Hardest part of the job would be working if you forget your locker key at home or your badge. The most enjoyable part of the job would be the customers who tell the most amazing stories about their Duluth product and how it served them so well and in some cases saved their life. Helping new customers find what they want or need is also very satisfying. The store is like a playground and you will find something that you needed all your life just sitting on a shelf waiting for you. Everyone is trained to do most of the tasks, and everyone is part of the Store Looking Good Team, so the bathrooms are the cleanest outside your own home because everyone helps keep it that way. If you get the chance, it is worth working there, even if it is seasonal. Jacksonville River City is the best place. You will never find a better management team.

The only job I‘ve ever loved truly, every person that I worked with was genuinely nice and respectful, and the clothes are definitely worth paying more for. The management at the store in Arlington, is one of the best groups of ppl I have ever worked with, they treat their employees like ppl and give high praise over everyone which cascades down and puts every employee in a good mood which in turn leads to happy customers. Their fulfillment process is so smart and it allows them to get even a heavy workload of orders done relatively quickly. Also the way in which they capture customer profiles allows it to where almost every customer can be taken care of bc their system archives the transactions. Duluth in general is all smart processes which leads to it being a very enjoyable job, not to mention the music they play is spot on for the customers it attracts. Overall I would work here again, given the chance, truly a nice store, very nice clothes and a great place to work. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Retail sales associate 1 salary reported	$14.13 per hour
Stocking associate 10 salaries reported	$1,350 per week
Administrative assistant 10 salaries reported	$1,350 per week
Seasonal retail sales associate 5 salaries reported	$13.40 per hour
Packer 9 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour

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