Footlocker Employee advice and expectation

kingjamesiv · Oct 15, 2014

What's up NT'ers, I've decided to start this thread on the behalf of Footlocker employees in hopes it will give me more of an understanding on the footlocker work atmosphere and overall experience. Recently I was hired at my local footlocker in the mall. It's a brand new store and a whole new group of people, the interview was easy and from what it looked like almost everyone interviewed was hired. honestly the answers some of those guys were giving were just unprofessional and I can already see most of them just standing around not doing sh*t when working. so far as co-workers go I'll just ignore most of them and dominate in sales like I'm bound to, but management seems cool. I have retail experience so I know the ins and outs on how to persuade someone to buy. I know all of the main things to focus on when selling at footlocker, the shoe cleaners, insoles, T-shirts etc..

If anyone here can share their experience and give any advice that will be appreciated. Also, I work at a 'Mills' mall so I know our footlocker will not be getting any retro Jordan's. I guess Jordan Brand felt as if their exclusive releases weren't 'Mills' worthy. But just wondering will our store still get exclusive Lebron releases and foams? anyway feel free to comment and I'll keep you guys updated.

ncgrownscflown · Oct 16, 2014

Hey what's up man. My first post here on NT, decided to finally make an account because I can share/relate to you. Anyway I used to work at FTL too at a few locations, it was cool. My advice, Stand out & and don't get too comfortable at your position. By that, I mean, a lot of guys I worked with got too comfortable with discounts and never really took chances at moving up. Everyone was just cool where they were at. I mean, not saying everyone I worked with wanted to be a FTL employee for life, but it gave me an idea what they were as a person. Heck I was one of them lol. Stand out and even if it's just a temp job for you, make the best of it & see how far you can move up. DONT BE LAZY

kingjamesiv · Oct 17, 2014

I definitely won't be lazy, haha but right now I'm just starting out so once I get the flow of things I'm definitely going to strive for those higher position, and with it being a new store there's a lot opportunity for advancement. Thanks for the advice homie.

airdhazzal · Oct 17, 2014

Expect to find a second job, because footlocker pay is garbage standard minimum wage. Expect that a store manager position is the highest you'll go if you have no real skill or degree. Expect to hate the job.

I gotta friend worked at footlocker 10 years, still aint went no where.

Reality bro, find a real job, one that will pay you decent and takes care of you. That is my advice to you. Up your standards a little bit.

When I think of the time when I used to work at champs, I think, thank god I'm outta that hell-hole.

kingjamesiv · Oct 18, 2014

Damn that's doesn't sound like a good experience man. Maybe you and your friend weren't good employees because there's a lot of innovation with footlocker if you can prove yourself. I mean that's with any job. They may not have recognized you for your hard work but your friend working there 10 years without being moved seems a little strange to me. My store manager has only been working at footlocker for 2 1/2 years and look where he's at. All I know is I'm going to give it my all and see what happens. If you're right about the company keeping the employees stagnat then I guess I'll find that out the hard way.

zack15 · Oct 19, 2014

Jordan brand was banned from selling retros at Mills malls because too many fights were happening. One in 2013 went crazy and somebody died.

Majorbread · Oct 20, 2014

My buddy works at a FTL and I swear he knows less about shoes now than he did before he started working there :lol:

smh

lordcotton · Oct 20, 2014

2011-2012, I had the pleasure of working at FTL.

Besides meeting the beautiful chicks that usually come in there and buy shoes for themselves or even cheating tail men; I have to say I had a great time helping people. Being a 29 year old sneakerhead, I have seen alot of styles come, go and stay. It is always nice to inform people and even have long convos with other people including true sneakerheads. The ones that come in and tell you about releases that you don't know about are the people you need to have relationships with!

Always try to excel as best as you can. But know when it is time to leave and move on to other opportunities. Or just leave the company as a whole. Some people can be cut-throat. Some other people are there for the sneakerculture, get paid and go home.

I wish you all luck if you decide to work there. I wish I was still there, but only there part-time. You will have prolonged periods of standing and please invest in some runners. Basketball shoes are bad for your knees to be standing up all day long, especially if you are in management.

Enjoy the culture and learn all about kicks. Not just limited basketball kicks. It will go a long way. Especially when you have people that are runners and want to know what's best. And the pay is not good at all as a regular sales associate.

kingjamesiv · Oct 20, 2014

Thanks for the advice man I really appreciate it. I been working there for 4 days now and I haven't even sold a single sneaker or t-shirts etc.. being that its a new store we are still stocking merchandise, I mean we're not even open for business yet. we will be Thursday hopefully if everything is in place. but from talking to my managers and the district manager, footlocker is expecting a lot from us. like i said before its a new store, new wave of employee's so the expectation is high. what I don't like though is like what you said before the pay is crap considering all the work you have to do. I just think there should be more to just 1% commission and whatever the minimum wage is, here in Illinois its $8.25 but when you're getting commission at footlocker its $6.25 or somewhere in that general range. I plan on being the best at sales but one of my managers were filling me in on how some employees take other employees sales when they go to the back to get a customer a shoe or what not. I straight up think thats f*cked up on so many levels. I would never do it to any of my co-workers and if it ever happens to me I will definitely let that person have it, like you don't steal someone else's credit for work, especially if were on commission, that's literally stealing money from another person, and if this store turns out to be like that then I'm out. I love competition but when theres a loop whole where a lazy worker can just wait around and sneak a sale in, I'm not wasting my time..

lordcotton · Oct 20, 2014

KingjamesIV said:
Thanks for the advice man I really appreciate it. I been working there for 4 days now and I haven't even sold a single sneaker or t-shirts etc.. being that its a new store we are still stocking merchandise, I mean we're not even open for business yet. we will be Thursday hopefully if everything is in place. but from talking to my managers and the district manager, footlocker is expecting a lot from us. like i said before its a new store, new wave of employee's so the expectation is high. what I don't like though is like what you said before the pay is crap considering all the work you have to do. I just think there should be more to just 1% commission and whatever the minimum wage is, here in Illinois its $8.25 but when you're getting commission at footlocker its $6.25 or somewhere in that general range. I plan on being the best at sales but one of my managers were filling me in on how some employees take other employees sales when they go to the back to get a customer a shoe or what not. I straight up think thats f*cked up on so many levels. I would never do it to any of my co-workers and if it ever happens to me I will definitely let that person have it, like you don't steal someone else's credit for work, especially if were on commission, that's literally stealing money from another person, and if this store turns out to be like that then I'm out. I love competition but when theres a loop whole where a lazy worker can just wait around and sneak a sale in, I'm not wasting my time..

That is the truth. My very first sale was done like this. The Nike Air Griffey Jr. Shoe was $180. Was I pissed and that's why I said things are cut-throat.

Far as selling, be different. Don't be afraid to approach NO ONE! It will also help with your confidence in life beyond footlocker. The 1% comm. is pennies. Then you will see you will get paid on the same days as releases and give money right back to the company. It just never ends. Just stay focus and things will go positive in your way.

kingjay718 · Oct 21, 2014

airdhazzal said:
Expect to find a second job, because footlocker pay is garbage standard minimum wage. Expect that a store manager position is the highest you'll go if you have no real skill or degree. Expect to hate the job.

I gotta friend worked at footlocker 10 years, still aint went no where.

Reality bro, find a real job, one that will pay you decent and takes care of you. That is my advice to you. Up your standards a little bit.

When I think of the time when I used to work at champs, I think, thank god I'm outta that hell-hole.

Amen. I worked for FTL for 3 years. I have seen it all. Pay is trash. They won't want to give raises, yet they want you to sacrifice your body and life for the company. DM told us that they only give a quarter per year as a raise.

Don't get too smart or speak out on the wrongs of the company, or they'll take your hours away or send you to a store that's out of your way.

Overall, don't get too comfortable there. My old boss was 65 and put in 30+ years in FTL and has nothing to show for it but his job title, bone on bone knees, years of not being around his family, and a sour attitude because he has to take orders from 20 something year olds.

kingjamesiv · Oct 21, 2014

Damn that's messed up, 30+ years no promotion or anything. I would have quit after the third year. A lot of people on here are saying the same thing about not moving up even with years of experience, so I guess there has to be some truth to that. I definitely don't plan on staying at footlocker for many years, at the most I'll stay for about 4 years and that's just to rack up on experience, then I'll take my talent to Nike Corp.

kingjay718 · Oct 21, 2014

KingjamesIV said:
Damn that's messed up, 30+ years no promotion or anything. I would have quit after the third year. A lot of people on here are saying the same thing about not moving up even with years of experience, so I guess there has to be some truth to that. I definitely don't plan on staying at footlocker for many years, at the most I'll stay for about 4 years and that's just to rack up on experience, then I'll take my talent to Nike Corp.

Yeah man, and it's sad. But that's what he chose. That was his ceiling in life.

And that's a good plan to have bro. I wish you luck. Have fun, cop kicks, and just don't get stagnant. Now granted every store, employee pool is different. be cordial, but watch what you say to employees. It's a cut throat business.

zack15 · Dec 19, 2014

swanny · Dec 19, 2014

KingJay718 said:
Yeah man, and it's sad. But that's what he chose. That was his ceiling in life.

And that's a good plan to have bro. I wish you luck. Have fun, cop kicks, and just don't get stagnant. Now granted every store, employee pool is different. be cordial, but watch what you say to employees. It's a cut throat business.

Not everyone is a rocket scientist. So just know, with ANY job, what you want for your life and when it is time to move on. And feel no guilt about it because they would feel none cutting you.

originalcafone · Dec 19, 2014

I worked as a part-time employee and an assistant manager at both FL and Champs. I didn't go into either one with the expectation that I'd work there forever. I just liked shoes, needed a job and wanted to try working retail. Like any job, you get from it whatever you put into it. The job isn't particularly demanding or lucrative, but you do learn about responsibility, working with many different kinds of people (both co-workers and customers), customer service and a little about sales. Overall, it was a very good experience. In particular, a job that forces you to continuously interact with people (especially people who are different from you) helps build communication skills that can help you in any career.

plasmidlord · Dec 19, 2014

Good thread. I'm 18 looking to get a job at a local shoe store or boutique. subbed.

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Footlocker Employee advice and expectation

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