Pros
In the grocery business, you do get to enjoy the perks of making "friends" per se with the customers. Many customers shop every day. You gain relationships with these people. Everyday tasks are inevitable but each day is different. Most of the employees are hardworking and I enjoyed going to work everyday for the most part. I made many friends throughout the years.
Cons
The people they employ for upper level management are generally not too professional. I worked there for ten years and saw the decline in people who took over those positions. Yes, there are many hard working, encouraging, ethical managers in their stores but there's also plenty that are not. I've had the unfortunate pleasure of having worked with many of them who were not "team leaders" whatsoever and who'd push work off onto lower level employees. Also, if you are wanting a full time 40hr a week job-don't even bother. They promote from within and unless you're "liked", you will not advance. I was fortunate enough to move into lower level management and secure a 40hr position but most will never have the opportunity. If hired from off the street, you will only be hired for part time work with minimal hours. Benefits are not available until...I think the 3yr mark. It could be 2yrs (I'm fuzzy on that being I received my benefits very early on due to the currant contract at the time). Also, with any union job you have to expect that while you may work hard, "Joe" over there could be milking the system and getting paid the same as you are. Even if you are working and going the "extra step", raises are rarely handed out except for your yearly union raise of a quarter...