Never Again - Sales Associate Five Below Employee Review

2.0
Jan 20, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

First to see new merchandise, store discount on already cheap stuff. Good music plays in the store while you work.

Cons

Low pay. Mandatory on call shifts without compensation, ridiculous demands such as being on register for hours with no one to cover bathroom breaks, not allowed to drink water during shift but they make you loudly greet all customers walking in the door so you have a sore throat by the end of your shift. Ridiculous expectations like putting out 100 pieces of stock on already bursting full shelves. Pressure to collect email addresses from every customer that effects your hours and how management treats you. No break room. Management ignores your requested schedule (for school, vacation, etc) and makes you cover the shift. Managers tend to be really immature and play favorites so you have to kiss butt (get them lunch on your own time, listen to their problems) so you can get good shifts and be treated well. I've had a couple retail and a fast food job and this was the worst and most unprofessional group.

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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