Pros
Excellent democratic structure that you can actively get involved in, meaning that you really can make a difference. Generally good rotas for retail. If you work in an older store you can expect 50% of weekends off however many new stores are opening where you will work most weekends. Excellent employee discount and profit sharing is always well received - generally works out to somewhere in the region of 6 weeks salary.
Cons
The business is very conservative and is scared to radically modernise for fear of upsetting older customers, unfortunately this means that the younger customer is not being attracted which long term will have an impact on sales. Working full time you will be expected to work long hours. Sometimes people employed into management positions aren't the correct people for the job. Section Manager workload is so high that you won't complete everything in your working day, expect to go in on your days off or take your work home with you. Section Mangers are underpaid and overworked, unless on the graduate scheme where salary is significantly improved. Jobs above level 8 (Section Manager) are fiercely competitive, it is rare these jobs become available so progression is usually slow. Don't believe the quoted time of 5 years to steering group (equivalent to assistant head of branch).