retail assistant manager

retail sales associate

retail store manager

locator

brand ambassador

LovePop

TL:DR: Good for a quick buck but not fun to work at anymore

When I started working at lovepop, it was a lot of fun. The job culture was fun, expressive, motivational and honestly just made me enjoy working. But now it has switched its gears, like most corporations, to being money hungry, all about the numbers, the sales and the fake image they give off to customers.

There is a disconnect between the office workers and the retail associates actually interacting with the customers that needs to be dealt with. Any time there is a win in the company, only the office knows while the BAs only hear through the grapevine or in a weekly news letter (that only just started a year n a half or so ago mind you), that felt like we are an after thought.

To answer some of the common questions though:
A typical work day? You either get no hours, 4-5 hours/day or 10+ hours/day with barely any in between. Short shifts are nice when you're in a happy work place and are ok with part time, but if you are full time it becomes a game of "how many hours can i cram in a day since management won't do it". You'll be constantly looking to pick up hours, but they aren't usually cohesive with your current schedule so you have to ask manage to change the times around a bit and if you're lucky they'll answer in a timely fashion. Not usually though. Depending on the location, you'll be working by yourself a lot, which can get a bit boring so you'll drift to your phone, sit or read a book. But you'll get written up for it since there is a no cellphone policy and a no sitting policy (granted only 1 or 2 BOS locations have chairs).
There weren't breaks till late this past year and they are unpaid if they are 30 mins. If you have to travel to a different kiosk during that time it is still not paid either. 

What I learned? Even small start ups that pride themselves on work culture, "love" and fun can blind sided by money. But, I personally did learn better customer service skills and selling skills. At the beginning they were taught to me by a great manager, after they stepped down, I and the rest of the BAs were on their own.

Management? Pretty fast turnover rate. Lost 3-6 managers in a span of 6 months? Not fun. Their organization skills are lacking in upper management. There need to be sets of two managers for each location so not everything falls on one person. This goes for district and regional managers too. It can drive you to insanity and make you lose sight of your job. If you give them your opinion, or an idea, it is either taken from you and you are praised (for all of 30 days before everyone forgets about you) or they shut you down and treat you like your existence means nothing but a body in the kiosk. It's, and i really mean this, NOT. FUN.

Workplace culture? Honestly it was a very fun place at 1st. I had fun working there and actually LIKED my job no matter where they stuck me (even though i had preferred locations). But in recent months/years, there has been a HUGE separation between office workers and brand ambassadors. You do get to see the owners every now and again but after talking with them a bit you get the feeling that they don't really know much about the kiosk culture. Which is sad when it comes to your own company, where the headquarters is... literally a block away from 1 of the kiosks.

Hardest part of the job? Dealing with the inconsistent clashing information from the higher up that confuse you. They tell you one thing in person, but don't change the guidelines or handbooks accordingly. But then once they do...they verbally say something different again. The lack of communication can really grind your gears more than the constant standing in place for 4-5hrs+. Sure you can walk around a bit, but you either get back and forth or around and around in a circle alternation which direction you go every 30mins. Its literally dizzying.

Most enjoyable part of the job? Seeing the customers faces light up when they view the cards. Don't get me wrong,despite my prior negativity, I absolutely adore the product and definitely think they are cool works of art.

Thanks for comin' to my TED talk.

This company will hire you and feed you lies from your first day. They make you feel like a strong valued member of the team at first. Then once you show them your capable they begin to overwork you and expect much more of you instead of the reality of your capabilities. This company has no room for growth internally. They do not support their employees. Their main focus is only profits not the actual business or employees. And they will make it a known fact that they’re purely focusing on sales and profits. When attempting to discuss further progression/advancement in the company or suggest new ideas to benefit the business. I was ignored and led on. The management team for this company operates unprofessionally, and has very poor communication with its employees. It’s sad to see such an amazing workers come and go because they are not valued, respected, or taken seriously. In addition managers will ask you for ideas or opinions on things in order to further their own agenda and excel on your creative ideas and solutions since they aren’t qualified to be in their position. Overall if you enjoy being micromanaged, taken as a joke, worked like a dog, and expected to do more with no additional compensation then this is the perfect company for you. Otherwise drop a rating and let me know you really feel about this company 🤟🏽

My experience was interesting from the very beginning. The interview process was easy enough but it was definitely more about personality than experience. I didn’t get asked much about my work experience and found myself throwing it into the conversation when I spoke to the manager. 

The job isn’t difficult if you enjoying talking to people even when you’re not in the best mood. If you can turn on a smile and keep it there for as long as you need to, then you’ll do well. The clientele is great and they love the product (what’s not to love) so selling takes almost no effort. You are alone for the entirety of your shift so breaks are rushed and stressful or nonexistent. My store specifically didn’t have a break room and was super tiny. It felt like I was working inside a fishbowl. 

They expect you to stand near the door in all types of weather. I got super sick in the winter because I didn’t have a branded jacket and was told I had to keep the doors open no matter what. Then I got in trouble for missing work because I got sick…

The regional manager was great. He was very supportive and I think had good intentions but I only spoke to him 3 times. There was definitely a disconnect between the store manager and upper management though. Management here tended to treat you like you knew nothing, regardless of your work history and experience. It was very demeaning and ultimately would have been my reason for leaving if my family matters didn’t force me to step away. 

A typical day at LovePop usually consisted of me opening so I would have to count the register and make sure it was the same amount as it was the previous night. I would then set up the cards for display with the cards to purchase right underneath them. Next, I would try to approach customers but usually customers are interested as soon as the displays go up because of how awesome they look! I will tell customers about any deals going on such as if you buy 3 cards, you get a discounted price (just an example). The only times it was super busy were around the holidays such as Christmas and that's when I wouldn't be working alone, there would be one other person to help me. The only hardest part about the job was only during the times when it would be super busy and I am working alone. When it's busy, customers will be lined up with the cards they want in their hands. Normally I worked at the South Station area so it would have a balance of people rushing to buy the card to catch their train and people not rushing because they are waiting for their train. Overall, I enjoyed working there because I loved the manager (at the time). She helped me a lot and I remember her helping me on my first day and always checking to see how things are going. I remember during the winter, I was so cold and she brought me a heated blanket that she personally received for Christmas. She was really the greatest.

I worked here for about a year and through that time we had multiple different managers, all were very confused on their responsibilities and the companies goals for retail. I have spent many years working in retail and have held a variety of different positions at different companies. This is by far the least organized place I have ever worked at. There is no cohesive retail strategy and the constant revolving door of management and coworkers makes it impossible to maintain any sort of standards. I worked with many competent people who were trying their best to adhere to standards that changed almost weekly. I think this has tremendous potential but they need to hire someone to coordinate the physical retail who has experience and can give a consistent energy to the business. Inventories had not been regualrly or consitiently completed, everyone was not properly trained on shipment or merchandising and it was so micromanaged by higher ups that nothing could get done with out them which is unsustainable. Your retail side needs a big overhaul and new managers who have a wealth of experience running high end retail because that is what your cards are!

Originally hired to work a 20-hour week schedule, but work hours greatly reduced after a mass hiring. Some weeks no hour works at all. 

Workday is four hours standing sometimes in a frigid cold environment depending on the kiosk. Seen three assistant managers come and go in a two-year period. No time and a half if you work on a Federal holiday. 

Job performance is based on how many cards sold. It is easier on some shifts to sell more cards like at the end of the week versus the beginning. Sometimes no customers would approach the kiosk during a shift, but the managers had a hard time believing it. They think because there is a lot of foot traffic there should be a lot of sales. Not really. Sometimes the job was extremely slow and boring. Holidays, however, were fun with lots of business.

The customers are the best things about the job. They would appreciate my hard work, unlike management who only looked for sales. Ok job for a college kid living at home. But if one wants better hours, better pay and better working conditions, the big retailers are a better option.

At first it was a good experience, having the chance to work and assist many different types of people. However, as time went on it seemed like the company was getting bigger, so did the heads and egos of upper management at the Boston HQ. Micromanaging the BAs, not open/receptive to suggestions that made sense, especially when it came to non-english speaking customers (a smile might be “universal in every language”, but it doesn’t sell cards), or customers from Europe (or Delaware) who were not familiar with NY charging sales tax at the register. The BAs staffed at Hudson Yards were provided with a uniform shirt to wear, the design that was apparently voted on. However, the ones actually wearing the shirt did not get a say, resulting in poorly received shirts by the employees. Overall, if you want to avoid stress and favortism by people way in over their heads, look elsewhere.

Very flexible as far as when you can work. Pay is fit for a college student not actually for someone who has entered the work world. Even the managers salary especially for New York Area. Security within your role is non existent. Every district manager with new procedures, you have a fear of being let go. As manager because of the turnover rate, my employees always looked to me for comfort because they feared they may be fired for poor performance. Lots of things that need to be done as far as organization and structure. Learning experience because as manager, you have to do everything even things not in job description. You will work in cold climates sometimes outside even in four degree weather but they supply coats.

Very simple, straight forward job. Selling their products and making daily/monthly sales goals. Maintaining the work environment, including keeping things organized, unpacking shipment, etc. Positive attitude is key when working here. Management is very fun but can sometimes need to be followed up with more than once over some things, like needing new uniforms. The problem is that they may cut hours or schedules can be inconsistent. They have a great discount, 3 free cards per month along with 50% off anything else in store. (But you can only use your discount in-store and not online.) 

I was told during the interview and when I got hired that I would be working 15-20 hours per week - I never worked more than 12 - and most weeks, only 4-10 hours :/ . Also, sales goals were never realistic and therefore never met. This had a punitive effect and reduced morale. So employees were not giving adequate effort because of no morale, and because hours were slim! For our location, there just wasn’t enough traffic and people interested who were not deterred by the price-point, so it closed. I don’t think the prices are unreasonable for the product you’re getting because it’s basically art; but I believe if there had been more promotions and discounts, the location could have survived. And weeding out some of the underperforming employees. Oh well!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Retail assistant manager 9 salaries reported	$19.33 per hour
Retail sales associate 25 salaries reported	$18.16 per hour
Retail store manager 2 salaries reported	$52,500 per year
Locator 5 salaries reported	$50,500 per year
Brand ambassador 1 salary reported	$16.00 per hour

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