Miserable environment unless you run a Power 35 store - Store Manager DSW Employee Review

1.0
Apr 26, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Discount is 30%, dress code is VERY lax if you are into that sort of thing, salary is decent for industry.

Cons

Unless your run a high volume store, this place is a stress fest. Payroll is unrealistically low based on the workload. They are constantly trying to squeeze every penny out of the stores but have no problem spending a ridiculous amount of money on marketing which customers frequently point out is inappropriate (i.e.: the #FML nightmare in 2017) and doesn't feature product represented in smaller volume stores. Also, the product is embarrassingly cheap since they are so private label heavy.

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5.0
Apr 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Discounts while working for them.

Cons

Lack of hours during the week.

4.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This is definitely one of the better retail jobs I've worked. None of the tasking is particularly difficult. The environment of the store largely depends on your managers, and the management team at my store have been amazing.

Cons

Constant cuts to labor budget make it hard to get anything done. A lot of stores are running on barebones staffing, and the pressure to get everything done accumulates fast. Corporate isn't any better or worse than any other retail company, but I'd wish they'd take into more consideration what the stores need to succeed. Sometimes the pressure to meet KPI's (conversion, VIP, Imbox, etc) can be heavy, however it's better than working at a place that makes you pitch a credit card.

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