Just like shopping with The Container Store, working here is also a stand-out experience. From the awesome merchandise (and an employee discount!) to our friendly team members, what's not to like?

Our part-time retail employees are the backbone of our business. Out of approximately 3,500 total employees, about 45% are part-time retail employees.

So, what's it really like to work in our stores? We visited our friends at the Fort Worth, Texas, location to take a peek behind the scenes.

Starting the Day: Getting Organized

Our store locations typically open at 10:00 AM. Those opening the store arrive around 9:45, clock in, then gather for a quick meeting to discuss current goals, promotions and other relevant updates.

In addition, about one day each week, delivery trucks come in the early morning to drop off new merchandise to be stocked. Cignoray, a part-time employee in Fort Worth, says "Being a part of the truck delivery is great for new employees to learn the store and know where everything goes, and a good way to sneak in a workout!"

 

A Typical Day: What's In Store

When store employees are scheduled to assist in the front of the store, there are two areas they could be assigned: register and sales floor.

  • Those on register assist with checking out customers, processing returns, and enrolling customers in the TCS rewards program.
  • Employees assigned to the sales floor will greet customers, advise them on selecting organizational solutions to fit their specific needs, and maintaining shelving appearance and inventory.

Midway through the shift, those on the register and the sales floor trade places. This both promotes cross-training and keeps things interesting!

"To work at the register, you have to be a good multitasker. I feel like an octopus sometimes!" Cignoray says.



Order Processing: How It's Done

There are multiple ways to shop at The Container Store. Customers may browse our store locations, shop online, or shop online and then pick up their order at the store. (Many store locations even offer curbside pickup.) Of course, this option would not be possible without the hard work of our order processors in the back of the store.

Amy, who regularly works on order processing in Fort Worth, shows us how it's done:

First, customer orders are received via the order management system on the computer and the order processor checks the order to ensure the items are in stock and other criteria are correct.

 

After making sure everything looks good, the products are then pulled from inventory, with items in the back room being pulled first, and items on the sales floor last.

Orders of smaller size are put into shopping bags and placed on the shelves to await pickup.

Larger orders are sorted in shopping carts for easier transport later.

The team receives an alert that the customer has arrived either inside the store or in the designated curbside pickup parking space, and a team member brings the order out to the customer.

 

Problem Solving: Things Happen!

Occasionally, problems arise in the store that need to be resolved. On this particular day, a piece of merchandise was found on a shelf that had somehow been damaged. Cignoray was quick to take the item off the sales floor and into the back to be appropriately marked and set aside.  

Cignoray marked the warped side with a piece of red tape, then proceeded to complete a "distressed merchandise" form.

 

Wrapping Up: Ending the Day

Our store locations typically close at 7:00 or 8:00 PM. Prior to closing, employees perform end-of-day tasks such as walking through the store to ensure all customers have left, closing the cash registers, and tidying up the shelves. After these tasks are completed, employees clock out and head home.

 

Join the Team!

Interested in joining The Container Store as a part-time retail associate? Learn more and check out our openings here.