Pros
If you enjoy personalized wardrobing and a solidly direct contact with the consumer this is the place to be. Generally, Chico's is an oversized, standardized and somewhat pleasant physical environment. The most important concept I enjoy is the relationship between associates at this particular location and the initial belief that there is a potential to have some control in your earning power along with the idea that Chico's itself sells ...the ability to expand your entrepreneurial spirit. Exposure to fashion, style and discounted merchandise is probably overstated, but does have its place as an appealing component of the employment package. I went to Chico's for employment because it represents the boutique image on a grander scale and offered a more updated concept retail merchandising and product.
Cons
Clearly, I can only identify the issues at the store where I work at as this is my first and only Chico's experience. Initially, I gave this organization everything I had based on an extremely successful career of twenty-five years. My expectations were realistic as I have been on both sides of the table as employer and employee. Chico's represents everything that is already negative about retail. I had hoped that this organization might be different even though I was aware of the background of the board. Amazingly enough, Chico's might even be a greater representative on how to crush the spirit of a good employee! The most important stumbling block is weak instore management. If a manager is consumed with selling, then there is no time left for proper management which in the end will boost sales in its own right. Consumers at Chico's do not need to buy from the manager as much as the manager needs to have the expertise and knowledge to competently direct sales associates, know how to analyze the consumer needs and understand the numbers and what they represent for this location. Management also needs to be engaged in constant communication with senior management and exposed to further education. Above all else, this is still a business environment and I do not see any reflection of that at all on any level. The earnings picture is an insult to women who are on the frontlines and work extremely hard. For all that Chico's openly demands..it is a dismal picture in return to those who senior management places a direct responsibility for the bottomline. To create a bonus point system that in the end works as a tool against the employee is outrageous. I'm trying to find the entrepreneurial spirit! All this for $8.00 an hour. Furthermore, Chico's is giving away the store and creating a consumer that will eventually diminish their position in the marketplace. Once the line is crossed with endless discounting, there is no going back. Even though there are economic pressures in all sectors of the consumer market, it is a chance for Chico's to recreate and examine its struggles and develop new strategies. Chico's in the end is stuck in the past and the present. There is nothing moving forward and there are no respresentations of leaps into the future that I can spot.