Diminishing returns - Store Manager CVS Health Employee Review

3.0
19 Aug 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Although everything is a moving target in corporate America, CVS in general invests the physical and marketing capital to aid in success. They compensate at a slightly above average rate. As a company they are committed to employee engagement, diversity, and community involvement. But,................

Cons

Like most companies in America today costs must be controlled especially in retail (it is not a high value added industry). To compete you must offer increasing value and service. The only way to do it is to always review your products/services and stay ahead of your competition in perceived value to the customer. CVS has done that but to control costs and increase profits and shareholder value it has had (as so many other companies) to cut payroll expense. Any one can do this, and they have quite noticeably. Who makes up the difference the "exempt" employees. I have worked in several "Darwinian" retail environments. The successful payroll cutters do so with a well thought out plan. They cut incrementally and over time, they constantly review processes and marketing to refine the goods and services they offer and how the are provided so that capable people can accomplish this goal profitably. CVS seems to do none of this or just pays lip service to the concept. Any company that seems to live and die by the phrase "it is what it is" will eventually become the retail equivalent of Grants, Woolworths, etc. Managers (who are very hard working, capable, intelligent, and loyal) work very hard with staffs (that by the rate the are compensated at are not as capable as the people they work for) that try their best but can not achieve every mandate required by policy, sales and service goals, loss prevention and "WorkLoad Manager". Believe me it is common for very dedicated people to take short cuts to achieve success and still have a "life outside of CVS". Diversity of all kinds is embraced as long as you are the "right" age. Any Store Managers promoted to DM after 40, any DMs promoted to RM after 50 if so then they are the exception not the rule.

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5.0
15 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great flexibility, depending on your scheduling coordinator and district leader

Cons

nothing that comes to my mine

5.0
13 Dec 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I learned a lot working there as far as how to run a business as well as how to develop a team. I had one of the most successful teams in the company ranking as the top store year over year in two separate markets, one in the Northeast one in the Southeast. I was a paragon winner with the company as well. My most recent DM was very supportive. I genuinely thank them for the opportunity and the knowledge that I acquired while working with them.

Cons

Work hours were excessive. To be successful hours worked were borderline slavery. While I willingly worked them to be successful, the week you didn't you were immediately behind. Vacations were almost non existent due to constant visitors from corporate stopping in to do reviews. Holiday weeks were paid 4 days regular 1 holiday and you worked all 5. The facade of the stores looking great when these people stop by versus the reality of the business is polarizing. There were always teams of people and excessive expenditures of payroll thrown into stores prior to their visits. While I understood the need to make an appearance, it was always will always be a backwards way off thinking. Company preaches quality of life for their clients while quality of life for their employees is non-existent. As a "manager" in your average store you will be "managing" a total of one person during your shift, with a total of 10 people at location. Location open hours will exceed total payroll hours ie Sun-Sat 7am-10pm = 15hrs per day x 7 days x 2 people = 210 hrs which excludes the need to have a person unload deliveries that come in during non opened hours. Your budgeted hours will be approximately 208 hrs. I will only mention that during the month of December that there are extended hours for the stores but no budgeted hours to accommodate. Stores are held to strict shrink targets with little to no control over external theft. Remember 2 people at location, if four people enter to steal there is nothing you can do to stop them. These are facts not personal prejudices.

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