retail assistant manager

co-manager

brand representative

stocking associate

assistant manager

Hollister Co

I was really excited to work here because my manager said I'd get adequate training, a fun work environment, and a flexible schedule. What I ended up getting was a total of maybe 20 minutes of inadequate training in total, an unwelcoming and unfriendly work environment where I always felt like an outcast, and one of the most inflexible schedules I've ever had. 

Let's start with the training. My first shift consisted of me literally doing nothing. My next included learning how to fold a pair of joggers properly. That's all the training I got when I actually asked to be trained for cashier training, inventory, and more.

The work environment was the worst part of the job. I'm on the quiet side, but I'm pretty extroverted when in a comfortable environment. I was told by the managers that the best part of the job was the people. That's actually the worst part of the job. I felt completely isolated by the majority of the employees and all of the managers. My first shift, I went to fix up the clearance room and I could hear one of the store managers and other employees talk about me in the lounge. Referring to me as the "newbie" and "fresh meat", they talked about how quiet I was among other things in a really unprofessional and honestly hurtful way. I don't think they knew I heard them, but that definitely impacted my work experience. I was also asked by a customer if we carried a pair of jeans that were on display on a mannequin. It wasn't my department and it was my second shift, so I started to help them look for a pair since the jeans section was completely unorganized at the time. As I was looking, I asked a coworker and they said if it's not there, we don't have it. And I told them the area was unorganized and he repeated himself, but with more attitude towards not only me, but also the customer. I only had about two coworkers who actually treated me and their customers with respect. 

ALSO ! A lot of the workers would talk trash about customers once they left or even behind the counter when they were in the dressing room. Very "high-school" when most of my coworkers and managers were in or past college.

Finally, the schedule. I was told by two managers that I could choose my hours, switch shifts, and cancel shifts IF it is an emergency. My grandmother got extremely sick one day, so I had to cancel my shift for that day last minute to go see her because she was 97 years old and fading. My manager got annoyed and wrote me up for not showing up despite telling him and the other managers the morning of. Sometime after, that grandma passed away. I was scheduled on the day of her funeral and requested to switch shifts with someone via the app about a week in advance. I told my managers in advance that she had passed and I couldn't work that day even if someone didn't take my shift. No one took over my shift and I got written up again. 

I finally quit when I got promoted to assistant manager at my second job, which paid me $6 more per hour. I followed procedure but got written up a third time for a reason I didn't get to hear because when I went to inquire the reason, the manager on duty hung up on me intentionally despite me being apologetic about the other two write-ups. 

So do not apply for this job unless you want inadequate training, a horrible experience, bad pay, a small number of hours,  and a horrible schedule. Sorry for the long review, but this job really gets me heated.

At Hollister, Co. my responsibilities included opening or closing the store (depending on the schedule), recruiting young kids to work at the store and persuading them to fill out applications/ come to group interviews, helping customers find what they are looking for and assisting with problems at the cash wrap, and maintaining "store standard" which consisted of making sure the store always looked neat and organized, and having friendly associates present to help customers as they shopped around and looked at merchandise.

I developed important managerial skills at this location since I was an assistant manager. I learned to give the associates goals to work toward as they were assigned tasks, and to follow up with them to make sure they met my expectations. I also helped them achieve a balance between customer service and maintenance so that we could leave on time the nights we closed.

The management team at my particular location changed numerous times throughout the 7 months I worked. Before I quit it consisted of myself, two other assistant managers, one manager-in-training, and the store manager. The store manager (who started two weeks after I was hired) had very poor interpersonal communication skills and was extremely unapproachable. I did not gain many skills through her, rather, I learned through experience and trial-and-error. She was my direct boss but she was rude and I felt uncomfortable being in her presence.

The hardest part of the job was making the store look wonderful while all the customers destroyed it. My location is very popular and busy in the Pembroke Gardens mall. It was always full of tourists who would attempt to buy hundreds of items in order to illegally re-sell them in their countries of origin. It was also extremely difficult to set the store on time during floorsets. I was the manager in charge of the "visual" aspect of the store. I would arrive at 6am with one other associate to begin changing the store around to move older items to the back and introduce new items and promotions. At 7am a few more associates would show up, but it was difficult to finish on time. There were papers that would outline how long each presentation should take to set, but the expectations set by those times were unreasonable 90% of the time.

The most curious aspect of managing, in my opinion, was to be able to recruit, interview, and ultimately hire people of your choosing; that was my favorite aspect of being an Assistant Manager for the company. It was always exciting to hear that someone you recruited was hired or was chosen to be on the "store tracker" (a list of associates who were exactly what the company looks for/ represents in terms of ideal image and personality). My favorite part of working at Hollister would be the great relationships I developed with the associates who I trained and delegated tasks to and scheduled and bonded with like family.

Don't do it. Don't even think about working at Hollister. To put it briefly- the management is terrible and inexperienced, the stores are overstaffed, hours get cut, and nobody knows what they're doing. 

Management has no idea what they're doing 90% of the time. They tell you to do something, and expect you to know how to do it. Problem is, you never get enough hours to actually keep up with the store. The layout of the store changes every two weeks, sometimes every week, and it becomes impossible to locate items in the store, as you aren't scheduled enough hours to keep up with the constantly changing store layout. Nobody tells you the right way to fold things, or the right way to clean mirrors, or the right way to put the endless amount of censors on every single item in the store. You're just expected to miraculously know. Change in policy? New sale? List of 10 different sales happening today? Change in layout? You’re expected to memorize all of it during a “5 minute meeting” before your shift starts. Sometimes they expect you to visit outside of your hours; this could be to change availability, talk to a manager, change your password on the (barely functional) company website, etc. 

Again, you will get scheduled less than four hours a week. If you actually want to work, don't work at Hollister. They give you hours in the beginning, maybe 8-12 a week (depending on your availability), and then cut you to maybe a four hour shift a week. Maybe. I haven't been scheduled in 6, going on 7 weeks. Their favorite employees keep their hours, though. Some of my coworkers were getting hours almost every day of the week, despite having the same availability as me. 

They give intentionally short shifts so you aren't allowed to take breaks. You are not permitted a break with a four hour shift- not even a fifteen minute break. My manager jokingly told us “you can take a break if you feel like you’re going to collapse.” Yes, this was a joke to her. Again, the favorite employees get longer shifts with an included break- usually 6 hours. In the event you do get a 6 hour shift, though, don’t count on them to tell you that you can take a break. They will never remind you- you have to keep on asking. 

Management is inexperienced and never has any idea what they’re doing. Based on some talk in the back rooms, I’m almost certain several of them were high on the job. This is probably the best explanation for their laziness- they sit around and scream at you while expecting one person to refold the entire store a half hour after close. Either that, or they stand around and gossip during open hours, but discipline their employees for doing the exact same. Everything is about numbers, especially the Club Cali signups. One manager had me enroll a man who spoke no English- and had no idea what was going on- for the rewards program without his permission. Why? To boost numbers, of course. 

Oh yeah- the stores are overstaffed. My location, a small store in a small mall, has over 30 employees. This is why nobody gets any hours. And, surprise! They’re currently hiring even more people. Hopefully you understand why you shouldn’t be one of them.

I worked at Hollister on two different occasions: once as a model, the other time as an impact team member. My time as a model was TERRIBLE, because the manager was the most loathsome woman on the planet. She was rude to employees AND CUSTOMERS. She would refuse to let us go on breaks. One time I came in for a shift, and when I walked into the store, she told me that she had "called me and left a message saying that she didn't need me today". This was a lie; she had never called or left a message. She was not a team player at all. I was only a seasonal employee, and when I was let go at the end of the season, they didn't even tell me! I walked into the store one day, clocked in, and was told that I was no longer an employee there by the computer system, not by my manager. 
Also, being a model is awful. You fold clothes. All. Day. And your folding had to be precise. It was cool getting to talk to people, and be around the clothing, which I still love. And just an FYI: when they hire you as a "model" at Hollister, you aren't actually a model. Be very aware of this. At my interview, one girl literally brought her modeling headshot and resume, thinking that she was interviewing to be on the posters (this wasn't the company's fault, it was actually kind of funny, but it's good to clear up that misconception).

About 2 years after being a model at Hollister, I was hired full-time as an impact team member. Turnover is a huge problem at this company, so I had a brand new set of managers, and they were AMAZING. I actually got about 20 hours of work a week, compared to my maximum of 10 as a model. I liked the work way better as an impact team member. You stay in the back, re-stocking and tagging inventory, and, of course, do some folding. If you aren't into heavy customer interaction, being an impact team member is the job for you. The managers this time around we're actually relaxed, helpful, and professional. I voluntarily quit this job, but was sad to do so. 

So really, your experience at Hollister as an employee will depend on the management. Would I work there again? Probably not. The dress code is ridiculous, the hours are not good, the pay isn't good, and you will work with a lot of annoying and incompetent people. And because they expect perfection with clothes folding, you will become stressed out.....over how a stack of jeans is folded. I think if the company got its priorities straight, as well as and hired way less people so that employees can actually get a decent number of hours per week, it wouldn't be so bad.

A typical day of work at Hollister is very enjoyable and easygoing. For eight months of my time working at Hollister, I was an Impactor which means I handled shipment in the stockroom, replenished the sales floor, was in charge of stockroom maintenance, and back stocking the items that were not prepped. I learned how to be organized with this position because of how the stockroom is set up. Everything was organized by the department, style, class and color. I also learned how to take on a huge task with very little time since a days shift was around four hours long. For example, shipment would have over a thousand items in the boxes and I would have to sensor, prepare, run and back stock everything by the time my shift was over, while I was replenishing everything that was being bought on the sales floor. 

For the last four months of my time working at Hollister, I have been a Model which means I stay on the sales floor, make sure everything is perfect and am assigned to the Cash Wrap (cash register). I learned how to be neater as a model because everything had to be perfect on the sales floor and each item had its own specific fold. I learned better customer service by greeting every customer that came into the store and asking them if they were looking for anything specific, suggesting other things that would go great with what they picked out and making sure that they got the best sale. 

The management at Hollister is a pretty tough job to take on. You need a college degree to become a manager, and at least a few years of experience of working in a retail store. The managers mostly do a models job, while taking on their daily tasks like watching over the hours and making sure it stays at equilibrium. For example, if we sell over the expected amount of money throughout the day, we gain hours. If we were to gain +5 hours, the manager on the clock would have to ask someone who had a call into come work for 5 hours. If we did not sell over the amount expected, we lose hours and have to cut someone. They also take care of updates and most of the customers service. 

Working with others can be very beneficial, or tough at times. But at the end of the day, the only thing that I am worried about is making sure all the tasks that I was given throughout the day are completed. The hardest part of my job would definitely be not fulfilling the customers needs. The most enjoyable part of my job would be making my customers happy and have them frequently coming back to the store. It makes me very happy when customers come back and ask for me to assist them again.

A positive atmosphere to work for a student as everyone is of similar age and is understanding of difficult work hours. 

I learnt to deal with difficult customers as the company has had some bad press over the years so that was a good learning experience from the beginning. The management were kind and friendly giving me a good experience for the majority of my time working there. 

Now here is the 'but' what led me to leave. When I went through my application process I felt a bit misled, I was told it was a zero hour contract on paper but they made sure you had regular shifts within your availability. For the first few months of me working there this was true I got 3 shifts a week 4 hours each but I then booked a holiday, gave them plenty of notice and when I returned I didn't get a single shift for 4 months.        

After 4 months and me ringing asking for shifts I would get a shift here and there but the main issue was that I had to buy current stock for my uniform, this would change every three months. 
Due to not getting any shifts I could not afford the 'uniform' so I would either be told I could not work in this and I would be sent home, or they would not give me any future shifts until I brought it.   

The company claim in the contract that employees do not have to wear there stock, but they do not say you will not get any shifts. They get away with this by keeping you on the system so you are technically not fired but you will not get any shifts so you might at well be. When you buy the uniform you get 50% discount for a limited time and can only wear what is in the 'style guide' typically it is the most expensive stock leaving it still being expensive despite the discount.     

This forced me to leave the company. 
Also another downside to the company is that they are extremely strict on the look policy. As well as having a 'uniform' booklet they also have a 'hair guide' for men and women only letting you have certain hair styles with natural hair colour. Women must have very minimal makeup on if any and men must always be clean shaven.
Tattoos must be hidden, no jewellery (unless its Hollister jewellery) is allowed to be worn apart from women are allowed plain studs in there ear lobes. No nail varnish is allowed unless on women's toes and they have a colour guide for that as well.    

Apart from all this the people I worked with were lovely, it was just a shame that Abercrombie have so many rules that were not all explained un till I was employed.

A typical day will include: cleaning the store, balancing registers, listening to manager voicemails, assigning staff to different daily duties, doing change orders, lost prevention, & handling customer complaints (A Lot of them). 

There's a lot that goes on within the company that you can take away. You'll learn how to be a leader to your peers & take on a lot of responsibility. They promote within but it doesn't come a fast as it should. You have to suck up to your DM to get a promotion. 

Management pretends to care about your problems but they definitely wont handle them right away. You'll have to go above your DM to your RM if you need something handled in a hurry. Side Note, I think it's ridiculous to require a 4yr degree in order to be a manager. I think a 2yr or at least someone that's a Junior in college should considered. It's actually kind of an insult to require a BA with the amount of pay you're offering.

The culture has changed a lot from how it was 2013/14, which is really positive. It's a better company to work for now, than it was then. They have taken all the past negative feed back & applied changes. Still need to work on some stuff but for the most part they're heading in the right direction. 

The hardest part about working there was trying to convince yourself that its worth it. I enjoyed my staff enough to stay for as long as I did but after awhile, you realize that you really "don't get paid enough for this." It's not easy work at all, if you take your job seriously. It's stressful at times. Trying to hit goal or even beat plan can be hard. Then if you don't hit plan enough, you'll get chewed out.

The most enjoyable part of my job was my coworkers. The other AM's & I use to have a lot of fun. We became really good friends & though none of us are with the company any longer, we're still all friends. You'll enjoy work if you are open minded. I always knew which BAs & Stock team i'd have for the day so I would always try to make everyone have a good enjoyable shift.

Bottom Line is, 
You'll be at work A LOT, so a life balance is hard especially as a manager. You really have to be mindful of your time. Vacations need to be planned out months in advance & any personal time without notice is a big No No.  I really cant stress enough how the pay does not compensate for the amount of time/effort you will put in but It's a fun place to work, if you enjoy people. The only way you will truly like it here is if you have a great GM/SM or you have great coworkers (AMs).

The job of an Assistant Manager at Hollister Co offers a fast-paced and rewarding environment suitable as an entry-level job to begin building strong management skills. A typical day involves an 8-hour shift beginning in the morning until the evening, or the afternoon until night. Managers complete, record, and file any paperwork printed out each morning and report the day's business directly to the corresponding District Manager. Store Managers will attend weekly conference calls with other managers in the district. Assistant managers work together with each other or with the Store Manager to accomplish daily tasks and drive business. All managers are responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training new associates as well as ensuring the store stays clean and organized for customers.

Personally, I feel this job has done a terrific job in teaching me the necessary first steps to becoming a leader and team builder. I have learned how to effectively work together with coworkers and employees to get tasks done. I have learned how to evaluate and train employees to help make them self-sufficient. I have learned to budget and analyze work hours and business metrics as well as how to authorize payments and merchandise returns. I am comfortable counting and handling large amounts of money and know my responsibilities when depositing or delivering money outside of the store. Most importantly, I have learned how to generate repeat business through exceptional customer service.

The hardest parts of the job include training young and inexperienced teens, working long shifts into the early morning for night updates, advancing to higher positions, and mixing professionalism with a fun, music-filled environment. I truly enjoy the atmosphere, however, and find that getting to know the associates, delivering excellent customer service, building management skills, and seeing business metrics soar are some of the most enjoyable aspects of this job.

I decided to work here for the break until I returned back to my university, and overall my experience at this location was okay. My coworkers there were friendly, very interactive, and caring. I would mainly get assigned to work at the fitting rooms, which was probably my least favorite part about the job. Considering that there would always be around 2-3 bins worth of clothing that needed to be put back on the floor. Which can be extremely overwhelming, but sometimes one of my coworkers would come in and help me, which is something I've always appreciated. There are around 4-5 managers in the store that I at least know of. But I would mainly see 3 of them, including the main store manager, of course. The store manager was pretty nice, definitely goal-oriented, and can be passive-aggressive at times.  But I do understand that it can be difficult trying to reach certain sales goals, and overall trying to manage the store. But my main issue with this job is the hours and workplace favoritism. The store is small and yet overstaffed, and the way the hours were being distributed was not completely fair. I was on winter break and made it clear that I had open availability, but I would still get scheduled for 3 days a week and would even get my shifts cut from time to time. Even some of my coworkers were experiencing the same issue. But my other coworkers who've had a seniority status receive more hours than the newly hired. And it is already so obvious that the managers favor the older workers, by the way they interact with them more, offer them genuine assistance, and are less strict on them. There was only one manager who actually made the effort to make sure they had genuine interactions with all workers and was always open to assisting us. So in conclusion, if you want a job where you receive actual workable hours, equal treatment, and proper management, then don't apply to Hollister.  It is not a terrible job, but it definitely needs to make a lot of room for improvement. 

Working at Hollister had it's good moments and bad. During my time working there in High school I had a number of different managers I use to work for. A few of them made my time working there an absolute pleasure to be there and made my shift enjoyable.  While others made it a complete nightmare at times. A typical day at work would be me attending the front part of the store. I would greet customers, ask them any question they might have, and keep my section overall neat/clean. There would be times where I would also man the cash register to start my shift as well. If I can take away something I learned from working at Hollister is that it really taught me how to deal with customers and also management. I learned how to address their needs in a professional and efficient matter. The workplace culture in Hollister honestly varied depending on which manager was working at the time. Majority of my managers were very young and in their mid to late 20's. I've had a few managers make me feel worthless, dumb and inferior while others would be so kind, respectful and friendly that I'd want to work extra shifts just because they made my shift enjoyable. The hardest part of the job was putting up with managers that weren't always professional with the associates under them.  When it was only my second day working at Hollister I was embarrassed in front of a customer by a manager for not saying the correct "tag line" while ringing them up at the cash register. I had to repeat everything I said twice to her while she was standing there with her items already paid for. Another incident occurred when I took time off from Hollister to focus on my studies and I received a letter in the mail from them saying I need to sign this paper for showing dissatisfactory in the work environment. Long story short they confused me with another associate who had the same first name as me. The didn't even apologize for their confusion. The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting new people and making a few friends there.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Retail assistant manager 6 salaries reported	$13.93 per hour
Co-manager 714 salaries reported	$21.64 per hour
Brand representative 8 salaries reported	$12.50 per hour
Stocking associate 184 salaries reported	$12.55 per hour
Assistant manager 4 salaries reported	$17.44 per hour

Working at Hollister Co: Company Overview and Reviews

Hollister Co

Hollister Co Ratings

Popular jobs at Hollister Co

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected