There is a LOT wrong with this company. I was hired on as a merchant (a visual manager, if you will). My job was to take a store, whose structural layout was beyond confusing, and elevate it to the company's standards. I was told that while it is a complicated store to work in, I have full creative freedom to enhance the overall visuals of the store.
Lie 1) I, in fact, did not have "full creative freedom" over the visuals of the store. Yes, when it came to how the product landed on the tables and walls, that was at my discretion, but when it came to the placement of fixtures, that is where things started to go array.
I was informed that I couldn't have fixtures in the corners of the store (even though we had racks that could ONLY be housed there) and that the fixtures needed to be at 90 or 45 degrees. I complied with their requests and utilized my years of merchandising experience to move the fixturing around to make the store felt more open and shoppable.
During a district visit, I was informed that "we don't have time to elevate with product in the back. Just get it to the floor and YOU can fix it later" Against my better judgment, I complied and placed the product on the floor, with the intention of "elevating it later" As I placed things, I noticed that the fixturing in the front of the store had magically moved. This wasn't brought to my attention, there was no discussion, it was just moved. And what's worse, the day after my DL moved my fixtures and threw the product on the sales floor, we got a negative review from a guest stating "The store seemed disorganized and chaotic". This was the first negative review the store had received as it pertains to the visuals of the store, it was 100% at the fault of the DL who decided that chaotic product presentation is better than any product in the back.
Lie 2) Consistency in mannequin styling and product placement is a joke. The VDL’s say “Don’t pin things to the MQ’s”, yet the example photos of what they like shows MQ’s with various products pinned to them. They say “cubbies are for giftables and accessories only”, yet during visits they are upset that clothing isn’t placed in said cubbies. Whatever direction is given in the visual directive will be immediately contradicted in the visual call; and what is said on the visual call will immediately be contradicted during visits.
Lie 3) Merchants only do visuals. Of all of the lies, this is by far the biggest one. During my interview, I asked multiple times if I would have to sell, run the store, etc. Each time the answer was the same “no. If something goes wrong, we need you to be flexible, but no that’s not your job” Oh my did they lie! In February 2024, the CEO decided to cut everyones pay, which resulted in a mass exodus of brand reps and managers. We lost nearly our entire staff within 4 weeks. Of course I understood the situation and was willing to help occasionally. However, I very quickly turned from Merchant, to operations manager, stock captain, cleaner, and order fulfillment. All of which are not in my job description whatsoever. I was busy doing the job of four people at a lower rate, with little to no appreciation from the DLs.
I could go on and on, but I think that you get the gist. Altar’d State is by far the second worst company I have worked for. I severely regret wasting my time at this company. If you have any self respect, dignity, or appreciation for how business shoud be conducted, DO NOT WORK HERE. From the standards that don’t match the pay, to the contradictions, to blatant lying, this company is no different from any other retailer. Stand Out for Good? What a joke.
You are better than this place, and should not even consider working here. If you have already applied to your local Altar’d State, Arula, Vow’d, Revival, or Tullabee, withdraw your application IMMEDIATELY! Working for this company will be the worst decision of your life.
