Varies by store, but stay on your toes - Floor Sales? (There IS No Real Job Title) Nordstrom Employee Review

2.0
17 Sept 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This is a company that does truly put customers first, unlike several other retail firms, however there are numerous caveats.

Cons

Keep in mind this is different at every store, but there were a few problems I ran into at my store. In one department especially, the company philosophy of being "Fashion Forward" was taken a bit too far. Rather than listening to what customers wanted, employees in that department were essentially berating customers into purchasing items the company had declared to be "Fashion Forward". Rather than listening to customer needs, the company had decided what it could sell most profitably (i.e. house brands), and condescended to tell the customer what was right for them, style-wise. A store manager was ousted on complaints of gross macromanagement by her subordinates to senior management. The manager was not given the opportunity to address her employees concerns. The new store manager had a disastrous affect on employee morale. She took up the reigns of the store without a formal introduction, and at one point asked a cashier to see if the department manager was available. When the cashier asked if she could tell the manager the name of who would like to speak with her, she was told it wasn't any of her business, and she needed to do as she was told. Other department managers may be promoted based on their sales alone, without paying attention to their aptitude for managing coworker relations. Several managers I noticed at being completely inept in any basic principle of management, and most managers talked down to their employees. The company seems to seek out reasons to discipline and fire employees, and the only positive feedback comes either in the form of a bigger commission check, or to employees who reach stellar sales goals. Sales seem to be rewarded, and consistently good customer service ignored - it's thought the best in customer service are also the best in sales - although in my store, the top sellers were often vocally avoided by many loyal customers. Also, a lack of a defined set of rules allows much flexibility, but also leads to constant editorializing among department managers about what is acceptable and what is not. Leads to much confusion and interdepartmental and interstore differences.

Explore other reviews about Nordstrom

5.0
10 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice office and great perks

Cons

Too hectic and no direction

2.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent base pay, somewhat autonomous, great tip potential.

Cons

The company has changed for the worse since COVID. When I came back the mood of the entire store had shifted. Gone were the days of comradery, customer focus, and taking pride in a job well done. In its place there is a new culture of cutthroat sales, a severe decline in customer focus, and worst of all a new focus on profit over customer satisfaction. When I was told that the amount the store charged for a shoe shine was not enough to do the best job I could for a customer I knew things had gone downhill for the company. Not to mention I watch a manager prey on a mentally disabled person in order to secure a sale, when the person could not understand what was being offered. Sad that such a once great company is now just another greed ridden corporation.

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