Nice place for stability not growth - Anonymous employee Crate and Barrel Employee Review

3.0
Sep 9, 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Overall, the store functions well with clear job definition and direction to sales, stock and office associates. It is clear that much thought has been given to operational procedures and it is a pleasant place to work if you are just looking to punch the clock.

Cons

Training and growth opportunities are severely lacking to those wanting to grow with the company. Corporate policies often govern over what is best for your location and your staff. There is an extreme disconnect between the stores and the rest of the supporting operations. Corporate has its own agenda and priorities that are not always aligned with what is important to their customers. They have not invested in the technology - POS, inventory tracking, etc. - that would be expected in such a large organization and this is a constant frustration to everyone at the store level. Also, the idea that they are "1 store" to the customer but operate as 2 separate businesses in the same building is confusing and fosters a "separate but equal" animosity.

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5.0
Jan 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

The Ecomm design team is one of the best teams I've ever worked for. Excellent management, support, and real-human connection. One of the rare design teams without ego. Highly recommend to designers looking to learn from the experts.

Cons

As a Contractor, I don't have a lot of insight to the rest of the company.

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Crate and Barrel Response
4mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so happy to hear you love Crate!
1.0
May 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The office had a good coffee machine, which employees appreciated. The cafeteria staff member was friendly and welcoming, which made the environment feel a little more positive. Opportunity to observe how long-established corporate operations function.

Cons

Management style felt very micromanaged. The management in the IT appeared heavily focused on older management methods rather than collaborative leadership. Favoritism was noticeable among certain employees and teams. Contract workers were treated differently from full-time employees, including exclusion from social events, food gatherings, and team activities. The IT teams often seemed disconnected and unwilling to support or train others properly. Communication issues were common, including employees talking negatively about coworkers behind their backs. Training and onboarding lacked structure and consistency. The workplace often felt disorganized, with unclear processes and coordination problems.

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