Container Store Reviews

Former Employee – worked at Container Store part-time for more than a year

Pros – good pay, thorough training, good coworkers

Cons – they truly believe they are primarily helping people rather than selling products for their own profits

Former Employee – worked at Container Store full-time for less than a year

Pros – Great TRAINING (not development); better than average pay for prime-timers; rather relaxed work environment (no "visit" preparation, etc); high caliber full-timers and prime-timers; "busy" times don't follow typical retail patterns - often can take time off during times other retailers would "blackout"

Cons – Very much a "cult" like belief in what they preach....however, at the end of the day, it's not much different than any other retail job (especially for a manager - where the pay is no better than anywhere else and the bonus is potential is worse); the culture of communication is a bit skewed.. The company "expects" credit and kudos for things everyone else already does - and when they introduce something as "new" and employee first, they present it like its's the greatest thing since sliced bread - and expect you to communicate how "great" the idea is.... Examples of things they don't do that other places DO do - 11 month wait period for 401k; expensive health benefits, they tell you that they have all these "great" holidays - like "we give employees their birthday as a company paid holiday" - which IS true, but they don't give you Memorial Day or Labor Day as one... So, bottom line is they give just as many holidays as anyplace else does, but they market it like they are this "holier than thou" place; there is virtually no upward mobility beyond a store manager or general manager..... Do not confuse TRAINING with development - because they do.. I was told the reason they have no "leadership development" program like a Target or Wal-Mart is because they hire those people from those places to fill open positions - so don't be fooled by their 10% growth pitch - it's not going to result in upward mobility for you; I personally was told to tell a prime timer with little management experience to "go somewhere else and get a few years of management experience then come back and see us"... A PRETTY arrogant thing to tell a young, college educated person that has worked for you for 4 years - and shows tremendous leadership potentially.... I can only believe they TRULY believe they are THAT different in culture (and they're not)... Had I gone that route - TCS would've never seen me again because there are plenty of retailers with great culture, benefits, training, AND DEVELOPMENT out there... How's that for employee first... The real culture is "get people in a position at which they excel, pay them well, and leave them there for a LONG, LONG time"... So, if that's something that appeals to you, this is your place.... But be prepared to tell them how great their "old" ideas are (they introduced a flex spending debit card this year to great fan fare and accolades - yet, I had a flex spending debit card 7 years ago... In fact, when I started, this was one of the first places that didn't have one... But when it was rolled out, you would've believed they came up with the idea)..

Advice to Senior Management – Be real with people... Stop marketing an environment and culture that doesn't exist - and isn't THAT different than anyplace else... This company is a GAME CHANGER for part time retail people - but it's the same old song for managers..

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Container Store full-time for less than a year

Pros – - Great fellow employees, everyone is willing to help everyone else out
- Specialized retailer, so most of the customers come in knowing what they want/need

Cons – - Managers tend to be in back office most of the time, almost no time spent on sales floor
- Unrealistic expectations & they're totally inflexible when it comes to suggesting new ways to do things
- If you have any prior retail experience, it's almost 100% not applicable to the way they want you to do things.

Advice to Senior Management – Get out of the office and onto the floor. Your employees don't respect you if you're not in the trenches with them.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Container Store full-time

Pros – Great employee discount. Other employees are typically very competent and fun. Customers are surprisingly nicer than in other retail environments. Set schedules for FT employees.

Cons – There are very vague company policies... not a "black and white" place to work. This means that they can chose to terminate your employment for any reason. Management chooses favorites and makes clear distinction between the favorites and everyone else. Tenured employees also have favorites. Brown nosing will get you far with this company, but standing up for what you believe in and what is right will get you no where and could even cost you your job.

Sometimes extremely hostile work environment. Uncertainty of who to reach out to if you have company/store concerns as there is no official HR department. Unclear as to what an "employee first" culture is. Not very many upper management can explain it.

Expected to attend leadership and store meetings on your day off.

There is no effective processes of employee development. If you're looking to move up and have an actual career with TCS, you won't find it unless you are in a multi store market.

Advice to Senior Management – Read the reviews of your company and take them seriously. They are true!

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Container Store part-time for more than a year

Pros – Slightly higher pay than most retail, good initial training, smart colleagues, great discount, fun products.

Cons – Hours cut to almost none, rude customers (like all retail), half hour lunch is not long enough, don't feel like training is really kept up, long hours on your feet, some of the work can be dangerous and no coffee at early store meetings.

Advice to Senior Management – More hours to your prime-time staff! Also, pushing the staff to sell elfa with no incentives makes no sense at all. And please, PLEASE stop the role playing sales scenarios. Uncomfortable for everyone involved and not realistic.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Container Store part-time for less than a year

Pros – Real teamwork atmosphere and support from others. Friendly, fun, yet hard working environment.

Cons – Actual hours worked was significantly less than originally relayed or expected.

Advice to Senior Management – Observed two staff making rude (tone) comments to customers. One other staff member seemed lazy and not interested in providing support to me or other new staff. Just pointed or directed to location. These staff were definitely the exception though.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Container Store part-time for less than a year

Pros – The company empowers all workers to make decisions, you don't have to ask management for permission, in fact they prefer that you solve the problem yourself. Employees are overqualified, thus there were a lot of interesting people to work with. Everyone hired is a problem solver. Friendly coworkers, nice managers.

Cons – It is hard work, customers pull you in multiple directions. Even lunch in NYC at chipotle is expensive, when you work as a seasonal employee. (Although that's likely true for most retail sales positions/companies.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the positive attitude and team oriented culture.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Container Store part-time for more than a year

Pros – They only hire good people, and then they train you well and treat you like an adult. And for us ultra-organized, compulsive types, it's nice to fit in and be rewarded for just being yourself.

Cons – They seldom promote from within.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Container Store full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Employee first culture makes this one of the best companies to work for. The Container Store expects a commitment from its employees but makes the same commitment to them.

Cons – As with any retail company, expect to work odd hours and holidays. The vacation package is great but you have to find off days to take.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Container Store part-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Good pay for part time.

Cons – Time off for holidays is a problem.

Advice to Senior Management – Ease off the holiday music.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend