Crate and Barrel reviews

3.0

41% would recommend to a friend

(2,488 total reviews)

Janet Hayes

36% approve of CEO

29% positive business outlook

Crate and Barrel has an employee rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,488 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Crate and Barrel employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Ventas al mayoreo y al menudeo industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
3.0
Sep 29, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It has a very friendly atmosphere. Everyone is very willing to help, offer explanations, or walk you through a process so you have a thorough understanding not only of what to do but why you are doing it. The atmosphere is very convivial, and if you're young, you'll have a large peer group. The facilities are beautiful, which makes being at the office more enjoyable. The job is low stress; you leave your work at the end of the day. The benefits are good, including the discount.

Cons

Advancement is primarily based on longevity. It seems like many people obtained their management positions as the company grew below them. This fosters a non-competitive atmosphere, and one where most people in management positions have a long history, and usually a great love of the company. However, there's something of a tribal mentality, and you don't stand much chance of advancing very quickly. The easiest way to move up is to have the person above you quit. If someone several rungs above moves positions, everyone below is reshuffled. If you're willing to stay with the company a long time, you'll move up eventually, but even if you're performing well, the opportunities to grow even without advancement are limited. The benefits are good, and the discount, but the salary isn't, at least in the lower rungs.

2.0
Sep 28, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Although Crate&Barrel has evolved into a large company, it still frequently operates like the smaller family business it used to be. The very positive implication of this is that when an associate in good standing is having a hard time, the company is likely to allow him or her unusual flexibility to resolve the underlying difficulty. The company also is truly committed to the long-term satisfaction of its customers. In addition, Crate&Barrel takes tremendous care to obtain special and great-value merchandise for its customers.

Cons

The vast majority of senior management has been with the company 15 years or more. Thus, the workplace culture and behavior patterns -- good or bad -- are quite deeply entrenched. There is a pervasive underlying assumption that every new employee has to start a career with this company from scratch. This means that even if you were already a visual merchandiser or buyer in your last job, or if you have managed another store, you have to start your career at Crate as a sales associate in a store. This practice ensures the development of an endearing Crate-like "humbleness" among associates. However, viewed from a job-seeker's perspective, higher education and work experience garnered outside of Crate&Barrel often seem to be viewed by the company as irrelevant, or worse: it may even be regarded with suspicion.

5.0
Sep 16, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Crate has a great management program where you learn the insides and out of all the business channels of the company. The discount speaks for itself. Employee longevity is out of this world. The product and people unite the employees. This is a truly grass roots company that tries to keep its most talented. Everyone who comes through the store must start at the bottom and work their way up.

Cons

Direction from different departments at corporate often don't jive well together. Also, though store experience cant come with a price tag, the company does not offer tuition reimbursement.

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Glassdoor has 2,614 Crate and Barrel reviews submitted anonymously by Crate and Barrel employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Crate and Barrel is right for you.