Pros
-Nice to be sent to train out of town for 6 weeks.(management) -For full time employees the benefits are great, way better than industry standards. -Product is good, quality can be unpredictable but from a design point of view it is great. - Working here is like working in a cleaner H&M ,that's all, so think twice before taking a position at COS. Ask yourself if that is really the environment you like, although the stores can look like High End and are located and marketed as such, that is not how they operate internally and in the back of the house.
Cons
-COS attracts a VERY DIFFICULT type of client, one with lots of attitude and demanding but on an h&m budget.On top of the usual people challenges retail brings, here you have to deal with these fashion wannabes that from the beginning are rude and very difficult to deal with, to then go and pay $19.00 for a piece that they will return after using once. -Pay is very low for everyone,given the workload, the amount of logistics required and high level of customer service you need to provide. There is no bonus or commission structure ( although it was mentioned by HR during the interviews) -Stores are understaffed at all times for the amount of work required and high traffic. It is just too much, so of course turnover rate is very high. -Which brings me to having to work with unqualified people all the time and having to live in a never ending training mode with many members of the staff, who then leave after a few weeks. -The job becomes very mundane after a few months, no creative input, freedom or business decisions, as management you are nothing but a slightly better paid cashier. - Area team is very secretive and treats everyone with disdain.