Pros
Hy-Vee does a nice job of motivating their people to put forth a friendly face and a customer first attitude. A lot of the people you'll work with are genuinely nice and fun people. The majority of management have a good balance of doing their job well and maintaining some humanity and leniency in regards to day-to-day circumstances. There are opportunities to advance, HOWEVER, you'll almost certainly have to move out-of-state or to another store. On the plus side, the company is very generous about reimbursing those who move. The pay is decent for retail work.
Cons
The top level management, like anywhere, is a real mixed bag. Even from the ones who seem nice, you'll never ever shake the feeling that you're just a number or a means to an end. They ask a TON from their assistant management and department management. During the opening of the store I was given no less than three sets of instructions on the way to do my job, often one set at odds with the previous. I also routinely worked 65+ hour weeks. I felt lucky as some people worked 80 and I even saw 120. Complete insanity. There is also a competitiveness amongst mid-level management to "stand out" or be considered for a higher position. This can lead to a lot of cattiness and needless bickering. The work/life balance is at best strained and at worst a nightmare. Feel the need to reiterate that there are plenty of career opportunities but you will almost certainly be moving stores or out of state.