Lots of learning experiences - 2IC Assistant Manager Universal Store Employee Review

great environment and great vibe

sometimes it can get a bit hectic and stressful

The pay, the clothes and in-store team

Working at Perfect Stranger was one of the most emotionally exhausting jobs I’ve ever had. The only thing that kept me going was my in-store team, they were genuinely supportive, positive and the best part of the role. Unfortunately, everything above store level made the experience incredibly stressful and draining. The expectations placed on Store Managers are unrealistic and constantly shifting without clear communication. You’re held accountable for everything, but given almost no consistent support or structure. Feedback often feels abrupt, reactive, and overly intense for issues that could be solved with simple coaching. It creates a constant sense of pressure and anxiety, where you feel like you’re bracing yourself for criticism over even the smallest things. Another difficult part of the role was being pushed to follow customer service scripts that often felt uncomfortable and invasive. We were expected to ask customers personal or overly probing questions that didn’t feel natural or appropriate in a normal retail interaction. It put unnecessary pressure on staff and made both team members and customers uncomfortable, but the expectation to enforce it never changed. The emotional toll of this job is significant. You carry the full weight of the store with little reassurance or direction, and the constant pressure makes it hard to maintain any kind of healthy work–life balance. Instead of feeling supported, you often end up feeling scrutinised, overwhelmed, and mentally drained. Retail should not feel like this. The store teams themselves are amazing and deserved better support and stability. But if you care about your mental health, emotional wellbeing or long-term stability, I would strongly caution you before stepping into a management role here. The stress, inconsistency, and emotional pressure outweigh the positives.