sales associate

assistant manager

store manager

gérant de commerce de détail

retail sales associate

Ardene

Ardene is not a job worth working minimum wage for.
This job is exhausting; emotionally, physically and mentally. 

The managers/assistant managers will give you a task for the day such as; unpacking stock, organizing, folding, and hanging. While you do that task you're expected to keep your space in the store clean, while giving attention to each customer who passes by your area, AND be expected to be at the till before a customer approaches it when they're paying. AND TO TOP IT OFF.. they expect you to finish your task of the day for example... in 1 hour, when it really takes 3 hours to complete without the added tasks on top of it. 
And when you don't finish your task before their unrealistic deadline they make you feel like you're not worth keeping at the company. 
THE FUNNY THING ABOUT IT IS.... the managers/assistant managers will give you a task and deadline THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN ACCOMPLISH. 

There's a lot of favouritism that happens within the staff and management, and it comes off very unprofessional. With that comes drama, it's like high school all over again. If you're disliked you're given the harder tasks, if you're liked you're given the easy tasks (the front greeter). 

I've seen staff cry because of what ASSISTANT MANAGERS tell them, -fat shaming and bullying (verbal harassment). The line is crossed with professionalism when someone in management sets a horrible example to their other employees when it comes to respect. After that line is crossed it makes other employee's think they can talk like that to anyone -which they did. 

There's also been times where after close we were told to stay after being clocked out... aka unpaid. One time i had an event to attend and i was scheduled till 6:15, they told me to clock out, and finish cleaning a section in the store. I told the assistant manager that i don't have to work if i'm not going to get paid, stating my WORKERS RIGHTS. She then replied back to me with a threat that she would decrease my hours if i didn't stay. 
I will honestly say that if I was given the respect that i deserved i wouldn't make a fuss about having to stay unpaid, but if I'm staying to work unpaid because someone else didn't finish their job and I'm paying for it.. then that's completely unfair. 
ALSO... 15 minutes here and there, a couple times a week.. unpaid.. really does add up if you think about it - very very unfair.


I've had many many customer service jobs besides this one, and being a Waitress/Bartender you get to deal with a lot of emotional stress, but I've never had a job that i disliked as much as this one. It doesn't help that the stress/harassment isn't just from the customers, but management as well. 

I don't recommend this job to anyone in my family, my friends or even my worse enemy.

 100% Honest about my experience, good luck to those who would like to pursue this position.

The only nice people are your coworkers (I have met some friends that will last me a lifetime there.)  but some would bully you straight to your face. You'll only get about 30 minutes off in your whole day (not counting the time you put in for the close) and most of the time you barely get a fifteen minute break. My manager forbade bathroom visits during the shift unless they were taken during your break (for a 9 hour shift you'd only get one 30 minute). 

Severely understaffed because almost everyone quit within the first 2 months of working there after being repeatedly bullied or humiliated by the Manager for childish things like laughing with either your coworkers or the clients themselves or even taking too long to redo a table that was massacred by the clients (yet you will be yelled at if the store isn't spotless) or because of your appearance.

Dress code was extremely severe for no apparent reason, we were forced to wear ardene shoes that weren't "sports shoes" , "converse type shoes" or open shoes. Which left us with very uncomfortable shoes to last for our long shifts. you are left at the mercy of your manager to decide whether or not the rest of your attire is acceptable for your shift, my manager did not shy away from making very nasty comments about not only your attire but your overall appearance; "are you wearing this because you think you're fat?" or " if that top looked good on you I'd let you wear it, but it doesn't so you're gonna have to put something on top."

Assistant managers often disagreed with the manager which led to very explosive arguments often ending in tears. One of them even quit on the spot in the middle of her shift.

 Assistant managers were amazing, basically taking over the job of the manager herself, seeing as she was always on the phone, on break or on the computer and never helping out when the store was in a rush and everything was a mess. They unfortunately ended up quitting too because the atmosphere was too hostile. 

Days off were hard to get and almost always required to have medical proof. We were forced to come into work when we were sick as she would threaten to fire us if we didn't. 

I ended up quitting after almost a year of working there because of the panic attacks I had before pretty much every shift.

A typical day at work constitutes being degraded, rudely ordered around, snapped at for irrelevant and unnecessary things, gossiped about, subject to favouritism, bullying, accusations, discrimination, and verbal abuse. If you call in sick, you're accused of being a liar. Your availability doesn't actually matter, if your boss wants you to work you better be ready to work within an hrs notice. You have school? Sucks for you, she'll say she'll accommodate but most definitely will not. You need time off? Good luck. Throw up at work and need to go home? Okay, better prove that you threw up, she won't believe you. Manager got dumped by yet another man due to her poor taste in men, the next day she came into work and 3 girls got written up for hickeys (even though when she was dating, she didn't care). The district manager and store manager are close so if you try to take any issues to a higher authority, don't expect a result. One girl who spoke out about being treated poorly was bullied by three different managers in the back room to the point that she walked out mid shift in tears. If you try your hardest at your job, it's not good enough. You could spend 8 hours PERFECTING something the exact way she asked, for her to turn around and say "that's hideous, change it." The main issue is management for sure, but its worth recognizing that you will only be paid minimum wage to endure the sheer abuse that will be thrown at you, you will absolutely hate going into work, you have no room to advance because the manager would rather hire from outside the company than promote, you won't get ANY benefits along with many other issues. Manager to employee confidentiality doesn't exist since everything gets shared as gossip, if you happen to know a customer outside of work and are helping them as you would any other customer, you will be unprofessionally told to go away from them, even though management can stand for 3 hours flirting with the man of the week and nobody bats an eye. 

There are so many god awful things I endured while working here, I am so so so glad to have quit.

Work begins with the counting of the moneys at the cash register to ensure all records from the previous day are correct. The manager or assistant manager designates a responsibility in the store for each sales associate, after which the doors to the store are opened. My position is usually at the cash, though all sales associates are trained at the cash as well as on the floor. I remain at or around the cash register, refilling the stock in my area until a customer is ready to check out, at which time I politely greet them, make sure they had a helpful service, then inform them about the special deals happening, if it applies to their purchase. If not, I inform them about the general monthly sales and promotions, which I accompany with the appropriate flyer in their bag. I remove all tags before ringing the customer up, then once I have counted the items rang up on the screen to ensure the number corresponds to the amount of items in front of me, I tell the customer his or her total, count the money handed to me out loud and in sight of the customer twice if it is cash, then give him or her the appropriate change back after also counting it out loud twice and in sight of the customer. I quickly but neatly place the items in the appropriate bags with the customers receipt. Finally, I leave the customer with a goodbye that would entice them to come back, most commonly saying : "See you soon!"

I have learned to work in a quick and efficient way at the cash as lines can be very long and the store can be short staffed. 

I have also learned better communication and interactive skills, especially with frustrated customers: to always remain professional, apologizing for the inconvenience, yet not succumbing to inappropriate and unprofessional ways offering discounts or free merchandise on the basis of feeling guilty for a customers dissatisfaction. In other words, I have learned to separate my own feelings and opinions from the work environment.

A typical day is unloading boxes, even if this gets in the way of customers shopping (also garbage bags are left anywhere too, which get in the way). The number one priority is getting the million boxes out of the back room and onto the overflowing, jam-packed store. You're not allowed to stand behind the counter, because "head office could be watching!". They do spontaneous visual audits, not to keep track of theft, but to make sure employees are putting out stock. If there is no stock, good luck. Just a lot of folding and refolding the massive piles of clothes. Management is allowed to "take out the garbage" multiple times per shift to take 10-15 minute smoke breaks, but if you step into the back room for 15 seconds to grab a drink of water while there is no one in the store, don't expect equal treatment. In my 4.5 years, I saw 5 different managers and countless employees. The managers fire employees for the smallest reasons. If the manager is short $5, it was "the computer's fault" but if you're short $5, expect to get written up. 3 write-up's or "infractions" is grounds for firing. A lot of passive aggressive note writing, especially if you choose to help customers over putting out stock for a few minutes. 

They don't like to give you time off, even if you request far in advance, and no one else has requested it off. 

I stuck here because it was a small town, and I was nearing my college graduation. I started the day the store opened in my town, and was the longest standing employee at this store. 

Coworkers can be alright. Management typically has no training or understanding on how to interview, so coworkers are hit and miss. Some coworkers were super fun to work with and made the job somewhat bearable! 

It's okay for a first job to gain experience. 4 hour shifts can go by quickly since you're spending so much time putting out stock. 
Honestly, the most enjoyable part was the discount. 

Overall, would not recommend this place to work at.

Worked at ardene for 2 months before they blind sided me 1 month before my probation period was over and dismissed me, they accused me of forcing other employees to do my work, not listening to the manager and taking extra breaks, and get this going to the washroom too much! None of the things they had accused me of had I done nor heard a complaint or warning about and when I denied it they said to me in a snark voice "we have cameras" trying to intimidate me.. I came into work and was attacked randomly by the manager who is completely un professional, lacks communication skills, and is disorganized and is easily overwhelmed and the district supervisor who is rude and talks down to you, like you're a child. I was clearly terminated for personal reasons and not professional ones because the issues could have been easily fixed with communication, I felt while working there I was in highschool again all the girls would talk behind your back and backstab you to get more hours or get you in trouble, the environment is unsafe because the thermostat is broken making it insanely hot and dry which means you constantly get dehydrated and dizzy head office is aware but does nothing about it! I was not trained properly they did not have an assistant nor manager for a month of my team working there so we were trained by 3 different managers from Kitchener talk about dis organized!! The new manager is not professional at all ever since she was hired the store has fallen a part and it will crash and burn, Tracy should have never left her 12 year manager position the store is a complete mess and people are being treated unfairly simply because the manager, assistant manager and supervisor think they are above everyone else because of their titles! I would not recommend anyone work at the Stratford ontario location or at any ardene this company is shady!

Ardene is a semi-fast-paced environment that provides a variety of perks and benefits for its employees. Unlike many retail stores that follow the "if you have time to lean, you have time to clean" rule, the tasks assigned to you are straightforward and manageable. You can complete online orders, tidy up the store, or jump on the register if needed; keeping you busy without feeling overwhelmed.

Everything is conveniently managed through a single app, where you can access your schedule, pay, tax forms, and request time off with ease. Time off requests are simple; you just provide a reason. Plus, they offer volunteer hours, so if you're taking time off for volunteer work, it’s a nice way to reflect positively on your role.

The employee discounts are a huge perk. You get 30% off any item, and if something is already discounted (for example, a $20 item that's 50% off), you still get an additional 30% off, bringing the price down to just $7. On top of that, it’s easy to earn extra rewards like $5 or $10 off your purchases as an employee!

One of the few complaints I have is something that comes with working in retail: dealing with difficult customers. There are times when a customer can be so confrontational that you have to involve management, which can be uncomfortable. However, the management at Ardene is very kind and understanding, which makes handling these situations a lot easier.

I had ONE day of training as keyholder. There was only myself, the acting manager, and another sales floor associate working there at this time. I was working completely by myself 4/5 shifts. The acting manager had a horrible work ethic, came in late and expected me to work all the stock and help customers while she got to play around on her phone. The sales floor associate would work, but once she was done one task she never took the initiative to find something else to do, or to ask what to do. I never got ANY of my breaks working here. Not a 15, not half an hour or an hour for lunch, nothing. The district manager was SUPPOSED to come and work with me when I was scheduled alone, which was like I said 4/5 shifts. SHE WAS NEVER THERE FOR ME! The hardest part of my job? Doing everything by myself and not getting any breaks. Trying to provide customer service when you got couriers ringing the bell at the back to be let in, then trying to put stock out all at once by yourself just is not possible. I learned to not depend on other people for help, because when I did I was given the shaft. You were also expected to take the bank deposit, on your dime might I add, to the bank and deposit it ON YOUR TIME. So not only did I NOT get any breaks, I never got any compensation for driving across town to make the bank deposits! I did not enjoy any part of this job at all. They are always short staffed, and now I understand why. They do not care about their coworkers! My grandmother was on her deathbed, and I was told I had to come to work. That is why I no longer work at Ardene. Sure no breaks, always alone, no guidance what so ever. You don't come between my family and I. My grandma died 2 days later after I quit. Quitting was the best thing I ever did!

Fast paced. Price changes will be the death of you. Price changes come once a week but are very unorganized and don’t make sense at all. It can be very complicated. For example, tops. Some are 2/20, buy one get one half off, 40%, 50% 70%, 3/15 etc. Constantly changing. Customers are confused, sales associates are confused and management is confused. Everything in the store has different promotions. 

There’s a huge lack in training which can be frustrated because the big rigs come in and tell you that you’re not up to standard but they expect you to know everything without being trained. 

Management is not given empowerment. The management role would be a assistant manager role anywhere else. You have to go through the district supervisor to get anything done. The store manager virtually can’t make any decisions for themselves. 

The scheduling is absolutely ridiculous. You have your schedule until Saturday and then the new schedule gets posted Thursday which is only 2 days heads up.. store managers always get Sunday’s off.. I honestly can’t remember the last full weekend I’ve gotten off. So I mean you have to be willing to never get weekends off.

On top of that there’s season changes and stock coming in like crazy but you work off of minimum hours. You pretty much unpack clothing and merchandise it and move it around the store for price changes and before you know it you’re packing it up and sending it out because the seasons over and nothing has sold. 

They expect you to be the only one in the store but you have to cover front zone, fitting room, cash, stock, price changes, window changes, floor plans. 
It’s insane. 
If you like a high pressure low outcome job this is the one for you.

Worked at the New Minas location for a little over a year. Management did nothing but complain about their subordinates, and the workers were petty. One girl ADMITTED TO trying to get one of the girls fired. She was rewarded for her petty behaviour with a management position. The atmosphere was catty. Several people were intentionally shut out of all conversations on the floor (including instructions for our tasks) and were then chastised for "Not acting like part of the team". Those people who wound up being iced out were made to do the worst tasks and deal with the vast majority of the customers. They also had the most to do with the least amount of time.
Upper management was completely useless. If two people complained the person of higher standing was automatically believed. They would make up witnesses and corner employees to sign write ups for things they've never done. To my knowledge this has happened to at least three people.  

Unless you are immediately liked by management your life there will be bsd. Atmosphere is catty and toxic, management is useless and the hours are nothing. If you specify you want a day off you will get it, but a vast majority of your hours will disappear with them to punish you for having the audacity to ask for one consistent day off a week.  You will never receive a penny above minimum wage unless you are promoted. You won't be promoted unless you're liked. This job will not pay your bills and the discount isn't worth it either as their products are overpriced scraps that won't last six months.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales associate 4 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour
Assistant manager 4 salaries reported	$17.75 per hour
Store manager 2 salaries reported	$23.11 per hour
Gérant de commerce de détail 4 salaries reported	$19.25 per hour
Retail sales associate 3 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour

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