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.
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We've Had These Kind Of Karens Right
Upvote for being one of the most truthful things I've ever seen.
Truth For Most Of Us In Retail!!!!
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).
If You've Ever Had To Hold Your Tongue, You Know This
Nobody Can Say It Isn’t The Truth
Pocket Money
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.
Be Patient
They wouldn't last one day in a place like that, if they even can't stand the wait?
The Peolpe We Love To Hate
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.
It Would Keep Things Interesting
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.
Please, God, Nooooooo
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.
Yup
Respect The Basics
So foolish to upset the people who are preparing the food you're about to eat!
100% Spot On
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.
"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.
"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."
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
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.
This Happens Almost Daily
All Of This Requires Effort!
Oh You Poor Little, Naive Lamb
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.
"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."
Let It Burn
This Is Just Working Retail Right?
When A Customer Tries The "I'm Never Shopping Here Again" Card
Can You At Least Check For Me!!
Yes there is a special shelf out the back where the one remaining packet will be stored for that one customer who asks.
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.
Min Wage
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!
“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
A Friendly Reminder
Human Resources, like natural resources, are there to be exploited in corporate processes and the waste products disposed of as cheaply as possible.
What In The World
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.
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!
Even Worse Is When It Is A Group Of 5-6
Thank For The Support
Life In Customer Service
Working In A Supermarket Be Like
"It's Says Remove Card, What Do I Do?"
It's Amazing How Many People Are Too Stupid To Read Signs
Boomer Customers
Honestly
How?!?!? Whoever Did This I'd Like To Meet You In The Parking Lot, Just To Talk I Promise
New Hires
I love the enthusiasm of new starters, puts me in a good mood. Genuine, not sarcasm. 😊
Let Me Go Home
The Writers Really Nailed Wha
Customer Induced Insomnia
Oh I Forgot To Get
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.
Oh Hades I Feel This From Both Sides
Probably
I'm Just A Fan
Funny How They Act Different Towards The Managers
How many times have I starred in this scenario. Also, being the elder of a pizza store staff, I'd witness customers giving absolute hell to teens. I'd siddle up beside the kid and watch the a*****e customer transform into a kitten, just because I walked up.
Am Accurate Representation Of Retail
That Hasn’t Actually Happened I’m Just Picturing It
Be Here. You're Essential
Every. Damn. Time
Now That Our Eyes Have Been Opened, We Ain’t Ever Going Back
When Customers Are Like 'Can You Check The Warehouse?' Like Sure But You'll Be Waiting Ages And I Doubt I'll Find It
Please Spare Me The Bullshit For Once
I Hate This Type Of Customers
When Customers Point Out Prices Can Vary
Broken Promises
I think the bigger threat would be if they said "I'm coming back every day from now on"
The Customer Is Always Right
Okay, but the quote was originally "The customer is always right, IN THE MATTER OF TASTE". That means no matter what ridiculous stuff they buy, let them buy it since it's still a profit. It was NOT meant to excuse worker abuse.
Yup. Uh-Huh. Wow. I Know
Wow man that’s crazy (idk he won’t shut up send help) dang for real
Sounds Reasonable
When My Manager Schedules Me To Close At 10pm And Then Open The Next Morning At 6am
My Coworker And I Draw Caricatures Of Problem Customers
The Day Our New Point Of Sale Rang Up A Shirt For $84 Million Dollars
Saw This While Getting Some Fry Bread Down In Arizona
* Sideways In An Aisle *
Customers Found This Little Dude In The Planters Today. I Had To Stop Both Them And My Manager From Taking It Home As A Pet
They eat harmful bugs like ticks and have a natural immunity to rabies! Also they will basically faint without their control, and drool and evacuate their bowels to really sell the story.
This Image Is All I Think Of When I Hear Someone's Worked In Retail For 10+ Years
Managers Be Like:
"I feel like you aren't considering the impact this has on the team"
In My Favourite Area Today At Work
Yeah, Amazon doesn't have any such area. I can pretty much guarantee it. And YES, I know it's a joke.
You Say That's All The Bank Gave You?
Half My Life Is Chasing After Plastic F-Ing Bags. How Hard Is It To Get A Reusable Bag? Please, I'm Begging You... I'm Sick Of Running Out Of Plastic Bags And You Getting Mad Because We're Out
No Title Needed
I think that it's a requirement under Lithuanian law that this sign has to appear at least once in any BP thread relating to work.
It Really Do Be Like That
Why
I would like to apologize on behalf of all teenagers for these chucklefucks. Sorry. We’re not all QUITE that stupid.
“But It Said You Had It In Stock Onlin—“
Posted In Our Breakroom. Because Yes We Are All Alive Just To Work
The very best workers sell their partners and children into slavery, shoot their pets, burn down their house, cut all ties with friends and relatives, and take up residence under the front counter so that they can always be on hand for EXTRA WORK.
Corporate
this is funny because in this episode, they were actually a cult trying to work for some jam farm, like without pay or anything, and had to give up their friends, identity, and even eating to go to work at this farm, which (although im sixteen and have never worked a real job before) is pretty similar to the retail experience.
This Is So True
I’ve Started Taking Pictures At Work Of Messes Customers Leave Behind
Corporate Retail Training Course Starter Pack
Don't forget the 10 minute video about how unions don't want "us" to succeed. And if by any weirdly random chance a union rep walks in, you have the right to put your fingers in your ears and run away screaming.
So, How Has Your Day Been?
Like.... Why?!
Never ever. I sometimes even put the clothes back where I found them after I've tried them on instead of leaving them in the dressing room.
Found This On Twitter. I Would Quit Without A Notice
On call means paid for the entire time you're on call, right?
“You’re In The Industry, No One Takes Breaks”
I worked in retail a long time ago. One busy Saturday I went to the shift manager to ask when I could take my break. I was told "we're really swamped, everyone is voluntarily working through their break". Me: "Yeah, I'm not volunteering. I'll try to take my break when its less busy but that's the best I will do." No. I didn't work there long.
Boomers When They Have To Pay 10 Cents For A Bag
Trying To Make It To The Bathroom Without A Customer Seeing You
If I'm ever caught beating my wife, I'll have to remember to sic the entirety of the internet on her.
My Boss After I Called In 4 Hours Before My Shift Because My Cats Tumor Has Ruptured And The Bleeding Won't Stop So I Have To Euthanize Her
You're supposed to close for me. Today and every other day because I won't be there at all anymore
Clock Fraud
Ladies... Can You Guess What Came Out At Work? 5 Hours Left
I Did It!
Working as maintenance for a company regularly pulling 15 hour shifts, I was involved in a car accident dropping my wife off at her job in the morning. This is before mobile phones. My wife got a cab to work while I waited for the police etc. She called my work to tell them I'd been in an accident. By then I was about an hour late, she told my manager about the accident and heard my manager tell the owner “Carlos is late because his been in a car accident”, and my wife heard him reply, I hope it's serious enough form him to be this late!!
Customer Got Offended By My Face Mask
In case anybody is confused: The image is mirrored. "IDK" = "I don't know" "IDC" = "I don't care"
Your Manager When They Need You To Come In On Your Day Off
Any time a business describes itself as a "family", that doesn't mean they care about ypu- rather, they're trying to con their employees into showing them the same level of altruism one would normally associate with "family" while they treat the employees as a resource to exploit.
"Yeah... No.. Sorry... Yeah.. No"
Every Time
A Lady Tried To Play Me With A $300 Worth Of Counterfeit Bills
Do you really have to use the basically useless pen to check a bill that says COPY?
This Is Why People Don’t Want To Work In Retail…
What? You mean the images that no longer auto load because the BP users downvoted them? If so, those are still available if one clicks
Load More Replies...
Reason why service workers deserve higher pay: You are a customer. End of list.
What? You mean the images that no longer auto load because the BP users downvoted them? If so, those are still available if one clicks
Load More Replies... Reason why service workers deserve higher pay: You are a customer. End of list.
