Things never change - Store Manager Co-op Employee Review

1.0
Jun 20, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* Holiday entitlement was good * Shift pattern can provide flexibility if you have the staff * If you cultivate a good team in store you'll have a laugh

Cons

* Expected to be available 24/7. * If you work 40 hours a week you're not "showing you care". They can't outright say it but you're expected to work at least 50 hours a week. * No hours for staff yet ever increasing demands. * Jobs are removed from the labour model (and as such you lose the hours to complete them) but they're very much still expected to be achieved somehow (face up, backstock, etc.). * No time in labour model to actually manage your store - spend time checking in with your team in one-to-ones. No time to act on issues, conduct investigations or disciplinaries. The entire notion of management is something you're expected to do in your own time. * The sense that AMs and above don't understand working in a store - after working a 12 hour shift I once had a standard checkout operator call sick. We were unable to find someone to cover from our or any local store. When threatened with the notion that the store would have to close the AM legitimately threatened my job demanding I return to the store to stand on the till and keep the store open. * It's just a horrible culture from those outside stores to those inside stores- they're clueless. This is exemplified by the reviews on here from HO staff saying how great it is that they can WFH and how nice the HO is. Stores are all run-down, with virtually non-existent break rooms, no room to move in stockrooms, tiny offices at best, and no time to actually think or do your job. But make sure you "do what matters most" or you'll be on a PIP!

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Co-op Response
2y
Thank you for your feedback. We apologise for your negative experience in our store. We value your input and take your concerns seriously. We know that working in a store can be demanding. We recognise and appreciate all the hard work that our store colleagues. Should you wish to provide more information regarding the incident with your former area manager please contact our HR team and we can look into this.

Explore other reviews about Co-op

5.0
Aug 18, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay, great staff. Good shifts

Cons

Long hours. Too far from home

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Co-op Response
9mo
Thank you for your review and feedback. We're pleased to see that you were happy with your pay, shifts, and your colleagues.
3.0
Sep 8, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Team got on well, hours weren't particularly harsh (pay not particularly impressive either)

Cons

Overworked due to corporate ruthlessly cutting hours (while hiring more staff?), generally piling on more and more work to the store team without considering time constraints, absolutely no opportunity for advancement while a store manager is already there

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Co-op Response
8mo
Thank you for taking the time to submit a review, however, we believe that you have left this in error. Our Co-op is based in the United Kingdom and have no association with Co-operatives in the USA. We've advised Glassdoor to allocate your review to the correct organisation, but you may wish to review and edit this yourself to ensure your views are represented correctly.
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