To succeed here don't do your job - just suck up to your boss - Assistant Buyer Urban Outfitters Employee Review

1.0
Nov 6, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The Navy Yard is a beautiful place to work, some cool co-workers

Cons

There is literally no management system here. No HR department to oversee if people are being mistreated. I've seen people fired so that their supervisor could hire their friends. People who would come in early, work through lunch, and go home on time would be penalized while others who would mess around all day but stay late (since they didn't actually get any work done) would act as though they were picking up slack. The turnover is so great that the quarterly hindsight meetings were a joke...the entire meeting would consist of "well these didn't perform well...but I didn't buy them because that person either quit or was fired". There would be town hall meetings where the directors would be walking around in Céline shoes preaching to 20-year olds who were making $40k per year that they all needed to get out more and go to festivals all over the country and go to NYC parties and "be the customer" but would act like it was the end of the world for someone to take a day off. To get far at URBN you don't actually need to do your job, you just need to pretend to be friends with your manager. My advise is get in, pretend to drink the Kool-Aid, and then quit and move to LA or NYC like everyone else.

Explore other reviews about Urban Outfitters

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Loved working in the middle of campus, meet lots of fun people

Cons

Can be boring at times working retail, repetitive but have to be busy.

2.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Somewhat flexible scheduling. Bonuses if your store exceeds monthly goals. Employee discount for other URBN brands.

Cons

Lack of work-life balance. Salaried managers are often expected and obligated to conduct work that surpasses the 40 hour work week. Overtime is not offered for salaried store managers. Salary increases and internal mobility are very limited. The company claims they are under tight budgets, yet they are making record profits and spending money on unnecessary expenses. The only way to increase salary is to move to higher-volume locations, which are limited due to availability. A lot of other store managers have been in their same positions for 10+ years and have remained at the same title. Company directive is constantly changing with little to no support. Store managers are expected to cover the slack when resources are minimal. Physical deterioration is common for management. The job requires a lot of physical exertion. Higher ups expect displays to be conducted on a store-level, which includes moving heavy objects and operating power tools. Even if you are not trained, you are expected to learn as you go or “phone a friend” for help. “The customer is always right” mentality supersedes company policy, which leads to friction within team members and the client. Mental stress from dealing with disgruntled customers is common due to this.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All