High Pressure, Favoritism, and a Lack of Inclusivity
Pros
This role was my first sales position, and it ultimately helped me grow in confidence and develop foundational sales skills. I gained experience working with a luxury brand, learned how to engage with a wide range of customers, and became more comfortable with meeting performance expectations in a fast-paced retail environment. While challenging, the experience strengthened my resilience, communication skills, and ability to perform under pressure—skills that have been valuable in my career moving forward.
Cons
I worked as a Sales Associate at Tory Burch, and unfortunately my experience was extremely disappointing. While the brand itself is beautiful, the internal culture did not reflect the values it promotes. The environment was highly competitive and cliquish, with favoritism from management playing a significant role in how associates were treated. Certain employees were consistently supported and protected, while others were closely monitored and criticized. Managers would berate or demean associates for engaging with coworkers or for spending what was deemed “too much time” with customers, even when those interactions were appropriate for delivering quality service. Sales goals were enforced through intimidation rather than encouragement. Associates who did not meet targets were frequently threatened with consequences instead of being coached or supported, creating a tense atmosphere where employees felt they had to constantly walk on eggshells. Additionally, I often felt excluded and marginalized in the workplace. There was a lack of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, which made it difficult to feel accepted or supported as a team member. Concerns related to this were not meaningfully acknowledged, contributing further to a sense of isolation. Overall, the role was mentally exhausting and lacked the professionalism, fairness, and inclusive environment one would expect from a luxury retail brand. I would not recommend this workplace to anyone seeking a supportive, respectful, and growth-oriented environment.