Pros
- The customers. Many of them have been shopping with L'Occitane for a long time- this company attracts a loyal and friendly customer base, and it is a great experience to assist them. - The products. Beautiful, luxurious skincare and fragrances, these are products you can feel good about selling. - The discount. It is generous. Given the high price point of the products, you probably won't be able to buy everything you want right away ;), but the discount is a great incentive to explore the different product lines. There is also gratis with nearly every campaign, and that is a great perk to work for L'Occitane. - The pay. It is competitive for the industry. There is no commission, but that's okay- it encourages more of a team environment when selling. Additionally, there are opportunities for a bonus if your store exceeds its sales goals. - The employees. Like any retail environment, your experience with the company will largely depend on the people you work with on a daily basis. I have worked at three different locations within the company and can attest to the talented and professional employees that L'Occitane attracts. In my current store, I have an inspiring and supportive manager and an exceptionally amazing team.
Cons
- Advancement opportunities. Management positions are often filled by external candidates. There are many Sales Associates that would like to grow with the company- it would be great to see a program to develop their talents. - Benefits are only available to full time employees, and in the vast majority of boutiques, the only full time employee is the manager. Part time employees are also not eligible for vacation pay, sick pay, or holiday pay. - The technology in stores can be frustrating- computers are slow and crash frequently. - L'Occitane introduces many limited edition offerings, which is exciting, but a lot of customers are disappointed to discover that their favorite fragrance/moisturizer/etc from four years ago is gone forever. - The french music will be stuck in your head long after your shift ends. :)