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Blacks Outdoor Retail

Is this your company?

Good job, awful company - Assistant Manager Blacks Outdoor Retail Employee Review

3.0
Jan 19, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good for those interested in working in Outdoor Retail, with quick progression through into management if that's what you're after. Good training opportunities.

Cons

Awful, distrustful company. Always focusing on Loss Prevention, which I understand is important to a company but creates an ethos of distrust within the area. Very competitive daily targets, with area managers encouraging hard selling as opposed to customer rapport. Working in management was a nightmare, with a 40 hour contract and no paid overtime but not having enough store budget to properly staff the store. I must've done at least 43 hours every week. Got paid nothing for central London working. Refusal to provide decent working space, would not refurbish old stores - staff rooms are cupboards. No good incentives for staff. Management totally stressed about every visit as if it's the end of the world. Constantly changing Visual Merchandising to the point where it was impossible to actually gain enough skills to be able to run your own store. Audit's were hellish and all the responsibility was placed on the manager/assistant manager team. If management quit there was no rush to fill the post and other management would just absorb the workload and the hours - see above, no overtime however. Awful company that taught me a lot about life but would've killed me had I not resigned and done something I enjoy.

Explore other reviews about Blacks Outdoor Retail

2.0
Dec 20, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice colleagues and customer. Lots of opportunities to do different events.

Cons

JD bought the company. Started treating staff like the chavs they made their cash from selling tracksuits to. Searches ON CCTV! After every shift which wasted my own personal time.News flash I don't want to be strip searches on camera. Made me feel like a criminal everyone I went to work. Carrot and stick attitude to hours..12 hour contract and told I wasn't being flexible enough if on the odd occasion I couldn't stay for 4 more hours than I rostered to.

4.0
Jan 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Training offered for things like fitting boots and backpacks Staff discount

Cons

Was always put on closing shifts even when I asked not to be

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