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Nearly half of US frontline retail employees and two-thirds of frontline managers say they are thinking about leaving their jobs in the next few months.

If you're wondering why the numbers are so high, you've probably never worked in the industry. And if you're nodding in approval, saying "Good for them," you're definitely a seasoned vet.

Probably nothing illustrates why these folks are so disillusioned better than the subreddit 'Retail Hell.' This place unites 93,000 members, who go there to vent about their entitled customers, toxic bosses, work conditions, and every other problem that they face on a regular basis.

So we at Bored Panda once again decided to feature some of the sub's most popular recent posts and give these tired voices the stage that they deserve.

#1

We've Had These Kind Of Karens Right

We've Had These Kind Of Karens Right

dopeyorangutan Report

#2

Truth For Most Of Us In Retail!!!!

Truth For Most Of Us In Retail!!!!

FeleciaO Report

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Agfox
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a relative who's meditated for 30+ years, she'd kill to reach the same level of calm & inner peace that produce guy seems to be at

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The reason why these memes are so popular on the internet is quite simple. According to McKinsey & Company, around 20 percent of US employees—or approximately 31 million people—work in the retail and hospitality sector.

That is roughly 9 million more employees than in each of the two next-largest industries (the public sector and professional and business services).

#3

If You've Ever Had To Hold Your Tongue, You Know This

If You've Ever Had To Hold Your Tongue, You Know This

dexidrone , FattMernandez Report

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B
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

any one who work customer service, not just retail

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But this sector faces a much more serious retention challenge than any other.

The quit rate in US retail and hospitality is outpacing the overall US quit rate by more than 70 percent.

Frontline retail employees are recognizing that they have more employment options—and more tools to access them—than ever before.

#6

Be Patient

Be Patient

Burn1at420 Report

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Colleen Glim
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“You should open another till”. You’re volunteering to run it then? Cool! Let me get you an application and an apron!

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Michael Largey
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A restaurant that can't keep its staff shouldn't expect to keep its customers.

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Child of the Stars
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's possible that just enough employees couldn't get to work due to weather or something. I worked at a nursing home years ago, and one winter, we had an awful ice storm. The graveyard staff had to work 2 days straight because it was too dangerous for anyone to come relieve us.

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Stephanie Fay
Community Member
7 months ago

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It's such a turnoff when business owners are snarky.

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Ammyshine Kim
Community Member
7 months ago

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They cannot even write correctly so it's no wonder they struggle to get staff.

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#7

The Peolpe We Love To Hate

The Peolpe We Love To Hate

rebelremember Report

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Jeremy James
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work in a coffee shop with an older lady who didn't take c**p from anyone. One time, a customer came angrily marching back to the bar and said, "Excuse me!? This ISN'T what I ordered!" She looked at the name clearly written on the cup and asked, "Are you Michael?" He huffed, "No!" She exploded, "Then why you take Michael drink!? Jeremy, you deal with him, he crazy!" I loved her so much.

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#8

It Would Keep Things Interesting

It Would Keep Things Interesting

IntrovertBiSaiyan Report

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Šimon Špaček
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Murder is little bit too far, but pepper spray would work. One pepper spray per year. If you don't use it somehow, you can transfer it to the next year, up to five years in a row. You can pepper spray customer on behalf of another employee.

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#9

Please, God, Nooooooo

Please, God, Nooooooo

SolidusRaccoon Report

Despite that, retail sales in the US, which are adjusted for seasonal swings but not inflation, rose 0.6% in August, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. That’s a slightly faster pace than July’s revised 0.5% gain and marks the fifth straight month of growth. It’s also way higher of economists’ expectation of a 0.2% increase.

#12

Respect The Basics

Respect The Basics

Holpay1984 Report

#13

100% Spot On

100% Spot On

SolidusRaccoon Report

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Jo pay me more
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to laugh. So many times I hear "Please put your items in the bagging area" when, in fact, the poor customers have done exactly that. They take them off, same message, they put them back on, same message. So they stand, confused, taking them off and putting them back on. Same message. Finally they stand there defeated, confused and demoralised until a member of staff releases them from their robotic nightmare.

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"August retail sales picked up steam as consumers kept spending, though categories like furniture and home furnishings saw a drop," Bob Phibbs, aka The Retail Doctor, told Bored Panda in an email.

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"No matter how much we're being told a recession is 'just around the corner,' people still want to go out, meet [others], and discover what is new."

#14

I See The Signs In Every Retail Store And On Every Public Transport In My City Now

I See The Signs In Every Retail Store And On Every Public Transport In My City Now

It’s honestly [messed] up that people have become so vile to workers over the last few years that these are needed. And ofc the signs do nothing, people still say whatever they want to your face anyways

gf-- Report

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Tams21
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The signs are better than nothing but what's really needed is management to have to guts to kick out misbehaving customers. They might lose a customer but it means loads to workers who are constantly abused. They might also find that happier workers are more productive workers.

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#15

This Happens Almost Daily

This Happens Almost Daily

Dreamcatcher318 Report

#16

All Of This Requires Effort!

All Of This Requires Effort!

reddit.com Report

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Agfox
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Effort doesn't require effort? I've been doing it wrong my entire life, apparently

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#17

Oh You Poor Little, Naive Lamb

Oh You Poor Little, Naive Lamb

MrSillmarillion Report

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Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've worked in retail for over 20 years. I'm now a self employed contractor and today I was replacing a display unit behind a newsagents counter. The young lass handling the customers was awesome. Cheerful, polite, smiling, she was enjoying herself. I made sure to tell the manager I thought she was awesome before i left. It took maybe 10 seconds, if that. I hope he told her my feedback too. It makes a huge difference for someone to be recognised as doing their job well.

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"What I'm seeing?" the internationally recognized business strategist and customer service expert asked rhetorically.

"One-person coverage that was needed as the pandemic waned is now the norm. Customer service suffers and store refresh between rushes never happens."

#19

This Is Just Working Retail Right?

This Is Just Working Retail Right?

Agent-Mato Report

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#20

When A Customer Tries The "I'm Never Shopping Here Again" Card

When A Customer Tries The "I'm Never Shopping Here Again" Card

1060west-addison Report

#21

Can You At Least Check For Me!!

Can You At Least Check For Me!!

Dinnen1 Report

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Paul Gerrard
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes there is a special shelf out the back where the one remaining packet will be stored for that one customer who asks.

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Phibbs, who also released the book The Retail Doctor's Guide to Growing Your Business, said companies need to hire more people than they think they need.

"Pay as much as it takes to get people who won't quit on day 1 and can think on their feet," he added.

#22

Min Wage

Min Wage

Dinnen1 Report

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Tams21
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good point. You might need no (or few) qualifications to start in retail or service, years of experience definitely makes a person a skilled worker (in Germany there are qualifications for retail workers and servers that take years to get). They should be paid as such!

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#23

“Why Isn’t It Taking My Bills” // “I Asked For Cash Back, Why Isn’t It Giving Me The Money” // Actual Things That Were Said When The Machine Looked Like This

“Why Isn’t It Taking My Bills” // “I Asked For Cash Back, Why Isn’t It Giving Me The Money” // Actual Things That Were Said When The Machine Looked Like This

amberlovesabby Report

#24

A Friendly Reminder

A Friendly Reminder

Dinnen1 Report

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General Anaesthesia
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Human Resources, like natural resources, are there to be exploited in corporate processes and the waste products disposed of as cheaply as possible.

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#25

What In The World

What In The World

Naeemak1111 Report

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Tams21
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So over one comment (which was probably exaggerated anyway) the customer goes onto the dark web, finds out deeply personal information which might actually explain why the worker had a bad day and displays it in public. With a message to *him* to choose kindness. What the actual f**k.

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But while we're still waiting for that to happen, fire up our earlier publication on the subreddit, called 40 Pics From “Retail Hell,” A Place Where Retail Workers Come Together And Support Each Other.

It's just as good as this one!

#26

Even Worse Is When It Is A Group Of 5-6

Even Worse Is When It Is A Group Of 5-6

SolidusRaccoon Report

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#27

Thank For The Support

Thank For The Support

Sufficient_Bread1205 Report

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MsLou
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That happened to me when I worked at Macy's! These two women were being so disrespectful because I wasn't folding their clothes fast enough and this little old lady came up and ripped them apart for being mean. I'll never forget her!

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#28

Life In Customer Service

Life In Customer Service

Nodubstep Report

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FahQ
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's terrible how people in retail are treated. The fact that they are forced to serve you to survive does not make them less than human.

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#29

Working In A Supermarket Be Like

Working In A Supermarket Be Like

pharmer25 Report

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Ezigma
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean, when you get a 50 cent raise and everything goes up $1.50!

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#30

"It's Says Remove Card, What Do I Do?"

"It's Says Remove Card, What Do I Do?"

hughieeedgar Report

#31

It's Amazing How Many People Are Too Stupid To Read Signs

It's Amazing How Many People Are Too Stupid To Read Signs

avatar_fan1124 Report

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Jccaidc
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Management needs to train the staff to at least be familiar of different sections of the store.

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#32

Boomer Customers

Boomer Customers

dont_drop_dat_phone Report

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Angi
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was never the boomers that blew up on me at work it was always people younger then me and I'm 40

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#33

Honestly

Honestly

AzuelZorro102 Report

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FahQ
Community Member
7 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once had a customer ask me how many rolls of paper towels usually come in an 8 pack.

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#34

How?!?!? Whoever Did This I'd Like To Meet You In The Parking Lot, Just To Talk I Promise

How?!?!? Whoever Did This I'd Like To Meet You In The Parking Lot, Just To Talk I Promise

FabricHoarder19 Report

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Marley Nachi
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

copics are like the holy grail of art materials, such disrespect :(

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#35

New Hires

New Hires

Dinnen1 , madebytio Report

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Lady Vader
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the enthusiasm of new starters, puts me in a good mood. Genuine, not sarcasm. 😊

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#37

The Writers Really Nailed Wha

The Writers Really Nailed Wha

DarthGodzilla1995 Report

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Angi
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you have a restroom? Do you see the giant sign that says restroom?

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#38

Customer Induced Insomnia

Customer Induced Insomnia

Dinnen1 Report

#39

Oh I Forgot To Get

Oh I Forgot To Get

Dinnen1 Report

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Casey Payne
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And they find something else, but don't have enough money for everything and they have to put 3 items back. With attitude. No, you are not allowed to hit them. I've asked.

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#40

Oh Hades I Feel This From Both Sides

Oh Hades I Feel This From Both Sides

joshkolenick Report

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.