Pier 1 Imports

Been with the company about 10 years now (putting a different start date and location in the details about my review to avoid retaliation; I doubt there are many management members who started the year/location I did, and I think my regional manager would recognize my 'writing voice'). Big focus on selling home goods (especially conversion KPI - converting a percentage of all customers in the store into buyers [traffic/transactions]) and opening store credit cards. It's amazing how much store management and sales associates are able to accomplish in spite of corporate management's debilitating disconnect from the realities of day-to-day functions in stores. Associates are considered disposable to the company, so this is fine as a job that you're not at all committed to and that won't financially support you in any way, unless you get promoted to store manager (which won't happen because all store managers are entrenched). Flex shifts (being on-call essentially) frustrate many associates. 
I might sound a little bitter in this review, which I am, but one of the few things I still love about working here is visual merchandising: seeing new products, putting together displays, and exercising a little creativity to produce beautiful looks for homes. In management, I've also always loved training associates, but the budget for training has been stripped down to about two four-hour shifts to cram in register training and nothing more (versus about two weeks' worth of training 5+years ago), so there's really nothing for me in that regard anymore (see my previous comment about sales associates being viewed as disposable...).

Everything about how we have to interact with the customers is so fake. Meetings involve watching videos of people at the top of the ladder lie about how exciting everything is and it looks like their smiles are about to fall off their faces. Every day I come home absolutely exhausted from pretending to be happy and bursting with energy for 8 hours. Only get one 30 min break for entire shift so I hope you like standing in place for many hours. If it's a shipment day then you'll be lifting boxes and organizing them for 2 hours, followed by unboxing and labelling for the rest of your shift (this sometimes carries over to the next day).
If it's a busy day then it doesn't phase you much because you always have something to do, but if it's a slow day then you still have to be standing even when you've organized everything 3 times over and you're not even allowed to lean on the counter because it's considered unprofessional. 
Very high-stress job because there is so much pressure to make goal every day/week/month and if you don't make sale or conversion goal then your manager will harp on everyone the next day, even if it was completely out of our control. 

Only good part of the job is that everyone you work with is in the same boat so there is a sense of comradery amongst the associates. Also easy to take time off and change your availability.

I loved working at Pier1, the local team & manager were fabulous, friendly and very helpful. They had amazing training when I started the job, they really set you up for success. I've learned this, especially right now, having just started at a job with little to no training. 

On a corporate level there were some rules I didn't agree for example - throwing out perfectly good products if they were slightly damaged or old stock that wasn't sold. I'm an avid believer in taking care of our environment and they could have got with the times and changed the policy and given things to thrift stores or employees/customers instead of throwing them out. Also would have been nice to make a bit more $ than minimum wage but I was okay with it because I loved my job so much. 

Unfortunately there was no job security as Pier1 closed 5 months after I started. Was so disappointed as I truly loved working there. Would have stayed there forever had they not closed. Really miss working there and the team. 

I loved my time at Pier 1. I had a great staff around me, great managers and a good team environment. Going to work in a glittery environment with pretty things around you and fun people to work with....can't be beat. 

I found that management was happy to recognize what we were really good at (merchandising/customer service/ tasks/receiving) and give us those roles and guidance to excel. 

The ONLY downside to my experience was that when you had an employee that wasn't well suited...it was never addressed. There were the few that just didn't fit and unfortunately, the overarching policy was put up with it, rather than address it. This included really poor behaved employees that were rude and didn't show up on time or give off a great effort. I think if there had been an enforced policy of measuring up, it would have made for a perfect environment. 

But, all that being said, I had an amazing, fun time working there and it didn't often feel like a job. Plus, I made great friends with coworkers that have lasted the years since I left.

Coming in 5-10 minutes before your shift, putting on your apron and name tag, signing in and checking the schedule to see which zone/section of the store you will be working, is how the shift starts. On busy days, many customers will approach you asking questions and for help. On slow days you have to work harder to achieve sales. There is usually a goal of $3,000-5,000 set for the day. I learned how to work better under pressure and how to make better conversation. Multitasking also improved and my ability to follow procedures and directions. Management is amazing, very flexible and concerned with the associates safety and success in the company. Co-workers are always willing to help, very friendly and kind. Hardest part of the job is finding furniture that customers are looking for in the store because of the constant display changes that occur by-weekly. The most enjoyable part is making conversation and learning about the customers needs and wants for their purchase.

I worked for Pier 1 for 15 years. and for the most part I enjoyed my job. Yes there was alot of heavy lifting g at times often times not enough  staff working to help transport  furniture, wall decor and other merchandise to customers vehicles.  Most times, there was only 2 employees  working per shift (daytime shift 2 employees/ evening shift 2 employees.  As a senior employee(15year employee) I didn't feel I was  always  given  fair amount  of  2hrs considering  my availability was always open. New incoming employees would be  given  more  hours. 

I was very excited to start working. However, the bosses were rude and never encouraging. They got mad at you for not getting rewards member sign ups every minute and shoved corporate commercial garbage down your throat every second. I got yelled at for the simplest mistakes or things I did not know yet, we were not even allowed to cross our arms if we were cold in the store. Very competitive place to work as other coworkers will get more sign ups than you and be better at dealing with customers than you and the bosses will be nicer to them. If the boss doesn't like you they will not even give you tasks to do. Coworkers and managers act like you should know everything about the store even when you first start working. I am definitely disappointed.

I enjoyed the work atmosphere, but found the culture very restrictive. There was no room for innovation since all policies were determined by a remote head office, with little regard for the differences between US and Canadian culture.
The products were excellent and easy to sell, except when pricing was significantly different from US prices published on-line.
There was a fair amount of sell-determination, particularly with regard to how long we spent with a customer, but rules regarding greeting and questioning customers on their needs, asking for e-mail addresses etc. were a bit onerous.

A typical day on the floor: Selling and promoting sales and events, helping customers and team members or managers with tasks when needed, working on cash. 

A typical day on the truck: Unpacking items, repricing items, stocking items onto trolley for distribution to store shelves. 

Management: Nice individuals, assigns positions and zones in the store, explains what needs to be accomplished and goals for the day.

Co workers: Easy going, nice people. 

Hardest part of the job: Not busy enough

Most enjoyable: Busy days with lots to do.

Welcome the customer, define their needs and show and sell them the products that answer their need.
I learn to perfect my merchandising skills for a furniture and décoration store.
The management team was very good.The management style was more of a horizontal than a vertical type (we were a team).
At Pier1 every one is important. 
There was no hardest part of the job, all was fun.The only hard part I may find is when we had to lift heavy furniture when doing the transition.
The most enjoyable part of the job was when we sold a complete décor to the customer (furniture-wall arts-accessories etc ). It was very fun to create décor for the customers and very rewarding when they buy it all.

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