Pros
There are some genuinely good people who work there — colleagues who support each other and try to make the best of difficult situations. You can learn resilience and adaptability because of the fast-paced environment. Opportunities to pick up different tasks and gain experience across areas, depending on the store/team. Discounts can be helpful if you regularly purchase footwear.
Cons
Low salary compared to workload, responsibilities, and industry standards. Lack of proper training, leaving staff to learn on the job without structured support. Micro-management from leadership, creating pressure rather than empowerment. Little recognition for hard work — expected to constantly go above and beyond, even when it negatively impacts your mental health, wellbeing, or family life. Employees often feel like a number rather than a human being, despite the company’s heavy messaging around mental health and wellbeing. Very minimal benefits compared to similar retailers. Loyalty is not valued — long-term staff aren’t rewarded or treated any differently. Poor support around sickness, even when the illness is serious; staff worry about taking time off. High workload with unrealistic expectations, leaving teams stretched and stressed. Communication from upper management can be inconsistent, causing confusion about priorities and expectations. Limited opportunities for progression unless you already “fit” the preferred mould. Favouritism can influence career development, making it harder for some employees to progress fairly. Work-life balance often isn’t respected, with pressure to stay late, come in on days off, or cover at short notice. Decisions are often top-down, with little input or feedback considered from the people actually doing the job. Morale can be low, especially when good work goes unnoticed while mistakes are highlighted.