Pros
-Each store has its own Instagram account where employees make their own posts each night. It feels really fun and unique even when multiple stores are posting the same product. -The collectible/geeky items bring in customers that can be really fun to talk to. -The ability to grow with this company is a lot bigger than in other retail. -Benefits are offered even for part-time management, which I've never really seen before.
Cons
-Donations feel performative when employees receive little to no any education on where the money actually goes, especially when a different charity is chosen for the month. For example, during AAPI Heritage month, donations were sent to Stop Asian Hate. My coworkers made racist jokes about the hungry children being helped by donations throughout the month, even though that is not the purpose of the charity at all. -Very unhealthy work culture at my location. Management would regularly gossip about their employees right in front of them instead of actually addressing any issues, often while these employees were helping out customers so they were unable to speak up for themselves. There were multiple times I got harassed by management after hours. -Employees were often encouraged to spend their own money on products if we didn't reach our goal for the day. -At my location, there were times that store sets went unfinished and employees had to work off the clock to finish them.
