Culture Shift Was Their Downfall - Multi Unit Management Five Below Employee Review

1.0
Mar 16, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The growth of the company is positive, as is the overall consumer view of the brand........for now. The marketing team is solid and the business model is certainly sustainable long term. Great products and typically an enjoyable in store experience for customers.

Cons

To begin, I left on good terms and on my own accord after nearly 10 years with Five Below, all in multi-unit leadership. The shift in culture has decimated this once great retailer. The mass exodus of great people and great retailers at all levels of the company over the last year and a half from Five Below are proving that the goal of the new field leadership is to be just another turn and burn retailer with a mediocre pay scale, even at the executive field levels. What was once a prime destination for top field talent is now becoming a leadership laughing stock with store teams operating on less than the bare minimum, yet being asked and expected to do more and more daily. Payroll levels are astounding, workload upkeep and expectations are unattainable and the morale within store walls is atrocious. Store teams used to WORK for FIVE BELOW or their leaders. Now, and it’s overly apparent, they are simply working for a paycheck. Evaluate the turnover rates from the last two years compared to the years prior and you can see when it all changed.

Explore other reviews about Five Below

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, staff, and people to work with

Cons

None I loved it all

3.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-20% discount -med, dental, vision benefits -20-ish minimum hours per week -genuinely can be a fun store to work in when run well

Cons

-store managers have little to no oversight and cross professional boundaries often - hr is ineffective, document everything yourself, report to the EEOC -growth opportunities in the store are very limited and they will lowball you no matter what you do or sacrifice -crazy turnover because the expectations are unrealistic store managers lie about pay budget to everyone -more likely to hire teens and students because they are easier to take advantage of for little pay, only needs adult for when teens and students cannot work (night shifts, school days) - nearby stores, especially if in a strip mall or shopping center, like tj maxx have higher base pay, better benefits, better security, and more hour availability

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