sales representative

sales associate

marketing coordinator

educator

assistant manager

THE WINE SHOP

The wine shop is one of the better places to work if you’d like to learn about wine and cultivate a sincere appreciation for the industry. 

You’ll get hands on training from your store or acting manager and be issued their most popular wines which is really the only way to understand what it is you’re actually selling. 

You’ll also be paid fairly, for retail but not what the cost of living is in Toronto.

You’ll have a monthly wine allotment which the company decides which vintages you’ll be issued.  

Management is ok but you better stay on your toes and get the work done they ask if you or you’ll likely be written up. There’s no union here do you’re on your own if anything like the above happens. Managers come and go. My store went through two in six months.

Be prepared to work hard on shipment days receiving skids of wine and ready to work alone a lot when you’re finished your training.

The stores are well organized and clean and the managers tend to treat you like an adult and have a profession demeanour. 

I wish there was more diversity especially in a cosmopolitan city like Toronto or diverse as Ottawa but that’s another story.


I love my job! The job is very interactive - customers are almost always friendly and social and we really get to know our regulars. I like feeling that I'm helping people and they see us as 'experts'. I learn something every day and there's always something new to learn - they have excellent training and opportunities for skills advancement, and we're encouraged to take advantage of them when customer traffic is slow.  I work with a great team and the manager is very supportive.  It's not just standing around, there's always something to do - delivery days are great exercise too!


We had a great work atmosphere until the district manager came along and blew things up. We always worked together as a team for the sale then she made it competitive so that we had to meet individual sales targets. So suddenly it was like the Brick where you pounce on every customer you can to boost your sales. The old system worked. We made store targets. Under the new system you could hit your targets if you were lucky to get someone buying multiple bottles. 
They replaced our manager who we all loved with one who managed 3 stores. The new manager was hardly there long enough to do anything so we had to do ordering and loads of paperwork. 

The Wine Shop where I am posted is one of their smaller co-located stores, so unless it is a holiday there is generally only one staff member working at a time. Customers are friendly, and many people are open to trying new things. Due to COVID, we're unable to offer tastings at the moment which definitely reduces some of my efficacy (since many people feel more comfortable trying a new bottle if they've enjoyed a taste!) but no one's enthusiasm seems to be dampened and each employee has found their own way of describing inventory in a way that's accessible and appealing to customers, who often return happy and wanting to try something new. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Helping customers  find the right wine for their needs and being thanked for doing a great job

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Hours are being constantly reduced making it difficult to be a sales associate, as you have to do more stocking and receiving.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Used to be great but going downhill. The cost cutting management style is destroying the fun about this work

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stock and receive is now a priority so less time for interactions with customers and less time selling

A typical day can be anything from an opening/closing shifts, providing assistance and guidance in wine selection to customers.  Always stocking shelves, providing tasting information at tasting bar and suggesting wine pairings.  My co-workers are great, and management is lacking.  I do not find anything particularly hard about the job, i really enjoy being able to assist customers with their selection/purchases, but also always learning about the wines we sell.

This company has a terrible lack of communication between staff and management. I’ve worked here for over 2 years and I’ve been through 8 managers and countless turnover of retail staff. Their covid response was not in favour of the retail associate staff. There was times where I was not informed of positive Covid cases within my own shop. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were forced to work without protective gear for a month or so. I am also left without a 30 min break every 5 hours due to understaffing. This is because there is huge labour cuts company wide.

There is no job security or room for advancement. 

Employees usually work alone, even at night. If you are harassed by customers or other employees expect reprisal from management.

Expect to work until 11 pm at certain locations, as well as all weekends, holidays, etc. 

Employees are responsible for customers safety, following the law regarding intoxication can be met with violence from customers, and hostility from management or other staff.

Fellow employees are encouraged to spy on each other with promises of advancement that will never come to fruition.

When I first started working for the wine shop, I knew nothing about wine except that there was red and white. When I left I knew almost everything there was to know about the different kinds of wine and how to direct my customers to have the best wine experience ever.... Management gave us some independence as we mostly worked alone. I think what I enjoyed the most was be helpful and meeting different cultures, and working independently. 

Honestly loved it at the beginning, but as time goes by you realize favourites play a role in how you’re treated. I disliked how management talked so poorly of their employees and mocked them. that’s not someone I want to work for or with for $16.10. That type of disrespect is not worth it. & don’t believe them when they say “if you have any questions just call and ask,” they’ll answer & help but make fun of
You in front of other employees when you’re not around.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales representative 5 salaries reported	$17.20 per hour
Sales associate 2 salaries reported	$17.40 per hour
Marketing coordinator 1 salary reported	$70,000 per year
Educator 1 salary reported	$21.25 per hour
Assistant manager 1 salary reported	$22.00 per hour

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