Glassdoor is your free inside look at Pier 1 Imports reviews and ratings - including employee satisfaction and approval ratings for Pier 1 Imports CEO Alex Smith. All 252 reviews are posted anonymously by Pier 1 Imports employees.
65% of the CEO
Alex Smith
I worked at Pier 1 Imports part-time for more than a year
Pros – The retail environment is one that fosters growth in superb customer service. Every customer who walks in the door is acknowledged, and as an associate, one's duty is to meet their needs. The Pier 1 experience for employees is one of satisfaction for serving customers.
Cons – Unfortunately, the room for growth is relative to the store size. Upper management is not focused enough on growing their retail employees in terms of rank; only in terms of service to the customer.
Advice to Senior Management – It would be beneficial to the retail employees who want to advance with the company if management would acknowledge their employees in this regard, and take the necessary steps to foster that kind of growth.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-02-05 10:36 PST
I worked at Pier 1 Imports full-time for more than 3 years
Pros – Good work/life balance. Great bonus program! Laid back company.
Cons – Once you are hired in for a particular position, you will be stuck with that position. No opportunities to move up within the company. People tend to stick around for a long time. Company pays below market value.
Advice to Senior Management – Create more opportunities for people to advance. Pay people what they are worth.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-02-08 11:24 PST
I worked at Pier 1 Imports full-time for more than 3 years
Pros – Discount!
If your store manager is amazing and hires employees that are amazing and blend well and work well together, it's a dream job!!!
Many career advancement opportunities!
Fun -- if you love the products and working with customers closely. Pier 1 customers are loyal and truly want the employee's ideas, advice.
Cons – When I first started in 2006 the company did something special for employees on Christmas- but that ended during my three year employment history. I was very disappointed. I am not sure what the situation is there current day.
They also cut back on the amount of raises per year they'd give and the amount of raise.
Short shifts as a sales associate. Decent hours as sales leader.
Very few hours available per week for sales associates ranging from 4-15 hours. Not enough to pay rent, but the company didn't want me to have second job b/c that affected my availability.
Underpaid as sales associate.
When I advanced to sales leader, I made $10 a hour, which maybe would be fair for a month period. But there should be more raises and BETTER raises.
Demanding goals to receive credit card sign ups per day.
Advice to Senior Management – I transferred stores when I became a sales leader and unfortunately that management team made me fall OUT OF LOVE with the company. I was very disappointed but left the company because of it. Before that my previous store was awesome! Great managers equal GREAT stores and GREAT employees.
As for the much higher ups.... my store frequently didn't have access to merchandising supplies we needed to prepare the store as the directory asked us to. The District Manager always said we couldn't afford it. That's strange to me, since we were trying to made our store to be the Pier 1 Standard. Make sure your store have the tool, supplies they need, and the employees do as well. Communication is huge. And a Thank you goes a LONG way during a store visit!!! (VISIT THE Stores!!! The employees work VERY hard to make the stores look the way they do and be successful as they are.)
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend
2013-01-30 18:45 PST
I have been working at Pier 1 Imports
Pros – I appreciate having the ability to spend time with family and work.
Cons – This is a very physically demanding job.
Advice to Senior Management – I think incentive pay raises would be nice.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend
2013-01-25 16:03 PST
3 people found this helpful
I have been working at Pier 1 Imports part-time for less than a year
Pros – -Good first job to learn retail, but get out AS SOON as you find something better-- even a little better
-25% additional employee discount, even on promotional sale items (up to 45% off, though I've heard that's not much in other jobs)
Cons – -No matter HOW HARD you work, you will NOT get a raise until at LEAST a year of employment. And that's not even guaranteed. Some people get about .05 or up to .17 on their year raises. And management acts so gracious about it.
-Daily demands, including making at least 5 people sign up for spam email or more junk mail, and weekly, playing with people's credit for a very faulty system (Pier 1 Rewards Credit Card)
-Physically demanding, mentally draining. Climb up ladders and grab chairs, greeting every single customer and bothering them about signing up for the catalog, or the card, or the promotions, or this-or-that. The rule is "until they say stop three times"...
Advice to Senior Management – Pay your employees accordingly for doing a good job.
Stop with the catalog and pier 1 card. The card is more hassle than it saves people's money.
No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-02-22 23:28 PST
I worked at Pier 1 Imports part-time for more than a year
Pros – I no longer have to work there!
Cons – 40Ft trucks that arrive between 4am and 12pm noon. You have only two maybe three people to unload ALL of it. It must ALL be processed in 24 hours. Items are stacked sky high and fall as you alone ( because there are never enough staff in the store no matter the square footage, and someone always has to be on the sales floor) try to get them out for a customer.
Advice to Senior Management – Offer a premium pay for associates to work overnight shifts and in the stockroom.
No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-02-28 12:23 PST
I have been working at Pier 1 Imports
Pros – The 25% discount is great. There are lots of pretty things to look at.
Cons – The furniture quality is poor, Merchandise is overpriced, The training is minimal.
No, I would not recommend this company to a friend
2013-02-16 18:04 PST
1 person found this helpful
I worked at Pier 1 Imports full-time for more than 3 years
Pros – Talented Managers are rewarded! If you are a talented manager (even a budding manager) you will be rewared with $ and opportunities...there are over 2000 stores with more opening and getting remodels!
Opportunites galor!
Great Staff from top to bottom!
Did I mention I no longer work there? However, I know there will always be a place for me there! I have always and will always speak highly of Pier 1 Imports.
You have a corporate staff who take significant time in creating a team atmosphere with trainings, celebrations, and recognition!
You have employees (sales associates) there for +10 years. Divisional and regional members of management who started as sales associates. Regional and Divisional members of management who will move your displays (and not just the little ones) to help and teach you!
Cons – There are a limited amount of full time positions!
Like any other retail business members of management are the only full time positions (and Home Office...it would be a dream!!)
Moving furniture! Sad but true. The end result is worth it...but truth be told...in the moment (and there are plenty) it stinks!
Advice to Senior Management – Work hard!
Yes you will be moving furniture but if you're, truly, a Pier 1 person you'll love the end results.
Be genuine with a smile...remember you're the host and the customers are your guests. Youre managment team and sales associates will get you there if you are always fair.
Here is the biggest. Your hiring process is #1. If you think at any moment this person does not represent the brand...do not hire them!! You have to represent your customer base with your store's sales team.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-01-07 21:33 PST
I have been working at Pier 1 Imports full-time for less than a year
Pros – Good hours, no crazy holiday hours, good pay, quick upward growth opportunities
Cons – Not huge volume so pay is good but limited
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company
2013-01-13 11:55 PST
I have been working at Pier 1 Imports full-time for more than 8 years
Pros – Employee discount, fun merchandise, working with great customers, leading talented associates, great home office
Cons – New regional manager every 3 months. It is difficult to build mentoring/business relationships when there is so much inconsistency. There is a lot of pettiness and little remains confidential with senior management.
Advice to Senior Management – Please fill your positions in a timely manner. It creates low morale and it is a difficult working environment.
No, I would not recommend this company to a friend
2013-01-16 19:41 PST
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