Fun and supportive team but very challenging environment at timesThe good thingsWorking in a franchised store was like having a close-knit work family. My colleagues were supportive and friendly, and it was great team. Head office contacts were excellent mentors and always happy to help out, plus they generally trusted the store to do the right thing and take charge if a difficult situation came up. Benefits are great-- plenty of discounts on shoes and sports apparel! Lots of opportunities for training both within the company and offered by suppliers.
The challengesAt this point in time the company is going through a face lift and change of direction. This meant that head office as a whole seemed to lack direction, and that the brand that is emerging was not exactly aligned with my reasons for joining when I began. Management on a store level is somewhat poor and senior staff don't always have management training so this makes it difficult to take advice and mentorship from superiors.
The work is physically demanding, and caused me to sustain multiple injuries which were related to repetitive movements. This is especially true during January, the busiest period of the year.