[0]Learn About Us
Welcome to The Container Store - The Neatest Site on the Web!SM
We have a wonderful story to tell that we hope will answer any questions you have about our company.
If you're thinking of a career with us, the following information is a great introduction to our culture and philosophy. Make sure to visit our Careers area for more information on joining our team. Members of the Media are encouraged to contact our Public Relations Department so that we may assist you with any story or television segment you are working on related to storage and organization and The Container Store.
If you still have questions after reading through the information here, you may find what you're looking for in our Help area. If not, please Contact Us so that we may fully answer any questions you might have.
• The Foundation is Organization
• There's No Containing Our Growth
• Careers For Great People
• Our Stores: The Best Service
• Our Distribution Center
• Our Home Office
• Community Involvement
The Foundation is Organization (top)
In 1978, Kip Tindell (Chairman and CEO), Garrett Boone (Chairman Emeritus), and Architect John Mullen opened a retail store offering an exceptional and eclectic mix of products devoted to helping people simplify their lives. In doing so, they originated a completely new category of retailing, that of storage and organization. Initial cash capital was provided by Garrett, his father, and John Mullen, who were founding directors, officers and shareholders of the company.
With a clear vision of the retail store they wanted to create and a first year start-up investment of only $35,000, the first challenge was to find products to sell. In 1978, most of the products The Container Store sold came from commercial or industrial manufacturers, and had never been sold in a retail environment. Kip and Garrett often had to persuade commercial manufacturers to supply them with retail merchandise. Mason's tool bags as overnight bags, egg baskets as carryalls and wire leaf burners as toy barrels were just a few of the original products that debuted in the 1,600 square foot store. The store outgrew its space within a year, and by 1980 had expanded twice. Eventually, the company's first store would have to move across the street to find room for an ever-increasing inventory.
Today, with locations from coast to coast, our stores average 25,000 square feet and showcase more than 10,000 innovative products to help customers save space and, ultimately, save them time. The store layout is divided into lifestyle sections marked with brightly colored banners such as Closet, Kitchen, Office and Laundry. Wherever you look in the store, there's always someone in a blue apron who's ready to help solve everything from the tiniest of storage problems to the most intimidating organizational challenges. Customers receive unparalleled service, along with fresh ideas and a very interactive shopping experience.
There's No Containing Our Growth (top)
Continuing to expand strategically from coast to coast and beyond, retail sales have experienced healthy increases year after year.
But for Kip and Garrett, the goal never has been growth for growth's sake. Rather, it is to adhere to a fundamental set of business values, centered around deliberate merchandising, superior customer service and constant employee input. Growth and success have been the natural and inevitable result.
Kip and Garrett are still heavily involved in all aspects of the company. In fact, they are frequently found in the stores interacting with customers and the store employees. The passion for the company that employees at The Container Store feel comes from the top. Where else would you find the owners selling, dusting shelves and helping with customer carry-outs?
It's the founders' commitment to its employees and their principled way of doing business
that has landed The Container Store at the top of FORTUNE magazine's annual list of "100 Best Companies
To Work For" nine years in a row. Also, Dr. Leonard Berry,
America's foremost expert on service quality, included The Container Store in his book,
"Discovering the Soul of Service."
His book profiles 14 companies from a variety of industries - all providing the utmost in customer
service. And in 1999, The Container Store received the Retail Innovator's Award from the National
Retail Federation.
It's no wonder that customers walk out of our store with just a little more spring in their step. Through creative thinking and a focus on unique product selection, employee retention and downright fun, customers get inspired by a one-of-a-kind shopping experience at The Container Store.
Careers For Great People (top)
Motivated and enthusiastic are just two of the adjectives used to describe employees at The Container Store. Employees are our greatest asset. Whether it's a salesperson in one of our stores, a buyer at the home office or a member of our distribution center team, The Container Store puts the highest level of attention on our employees.One of The Container Store's core business philosophies is that one great person equals three good people in terms of business productivity. So, why not hire only great people? With that said, when it comes to selecting who will join the team, we go to great lengths to look for that one great person to fill a position. Most employees at The Container Store are college educated and most were customers first.
The Container Store's philosophy on employee development sets us apart from other retailers. The Container Store matches employees' strengths with the needs of the company, focusing on talent rather than titles. They come from incredibly varied backgrounds with tremendous depth and ability, as The Container Store values diversity on all levels.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Some of Our Great Benefits Include: |  |
||
|
|
|
 |
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
 |
|
 |
||
Our Stores: The Best Service (top)
Most employees begin their careers with us in our stores, and many continue to build their careers there for years, since that is the true lifeblood of our business. Our store positions offer the best introduction to our products, service standards and company values. When customers walk into any of our stores, they immediately sense the "air of excitement" that exemplifies the entire company. This excitement is fostered by the spirit of our store employees.Customer service is The Container Store's core competency, so hiring people who are self-motivated and team-oriented with a passion for customer service is key. We place so much importance on service that every first-year, full-time salesperson receives about 241 hours of training—in a retail industry where the average is about seven hours. And training continues throughout an employee's career.
Our salespeople do not work on commission; instead, they're either salaried or paid by the hour with wages far above the retail industry norm. Therefore, they often work together in teams to find that complete solution for the customer, which allows them to spend as much time as necessary to help customers find what they need.
From full-time positions to family-friendly schedules, The Container Store will work with an individual to match his or her career desires. Whether you work in a high-paced visual sales position merchandising the store, or as a salesperson creatively working with each customer, your experience is equally exciting.
Our Distribution Center (top)
The Container Store
500 Freeport Parkway
Coppell, TX 75019
972-538-6900
The Container Store's Distribution Center is unlike any other. The unique culture that is The Container Store is just as evident in our Distribution Center as it is in our stores and home office. Many of our Distribution Center employees have enjoyed a long tenure with The Container Store. In fact, many have celebrated 10, 15 and 20 years with the company!
We moved into our new, state-of-the-art facility in 2004. It boasts many amenities, including 60 high velocity fans to keep employees cool and a sophisticated air filtration system that "turns" the air five times every hour. Safety is a top priority at The Container Store, and we've implemented many tools in our Distribution Center to keep our employees safe. Training is also a big part of our Distribution Center employees' work experience. Ours truly is a place where employees can have fun and work alongside other dedicated, hard-working people in a comfortable, safe, clean and drug-free work environment.
There are many career opportunities on our distribution team. Our inbound department includes the receiving dock and special processing team. The store replenishment department consists of order pulling and truck loading. There are also opportunities in our retail fulfillment, wholesale fulfillment, inventory, system planning, replenishment/put away, maintenance and traffic departments.
The Container Store's Distribution Center is a place where you can develop a successful career path. It's a place that always recognizes that it's the people behind the stock pickers, reach trucks, radio frequency devices and ticketing lines that keep The Container Store at the forefront of the storage and organization industry.
Our Home Office (top)
The Container Store
500 Freeport Parkway
Coppell, TX 75019
972-538-6000
|
|
There's a true sense of camaraderie, spirit and pride that is fostered at the home office and extended to the stores. Through The Container Store's generous community outreach programs and Fun Committee activities, creative growth and interaction between employees are encouraged. Whether it's a community school supply drive or our annual Halloween chili cook-off, the home office is a place where The Container Store's true heart and soul is evident. And it's a part of the company that definitely mirrors the one great person equals three good people philosophy — a philosophy and commitment found everywhere at The Container Store.
Community Involvement (top)
Since we first opened our doors back in 1978, we've been proud of our involvement with non-profit organizations nationally, as well as in local communities where our stores are located. Community relations projects are implemented from our headquarters in Coppell, Texas. From product and gift card donations, to volunteer time from employees, the company finds it very important to be a good corporate neighbor and to be an active participant in the community.
If you would like to submit a request for a donation, it must be submitted one month in advance of your event date on official letterhead. Requests can be made by mail (attn: Community Relations 500 Freeport Pkwy. Coppell, TX 75019), fax (972-538-7646) or email (donations@containerstore.com).
If you have any questions about The Container Store's community involvement and outreach programs, please contact Kelley McDonald, Marketing Manager, at 972-538-6646.
