Working as an Assistant Merchandiser at Next has been one of the most frustrating professional experiences I’ve had. The workload is constantly overwhelming, and long hours are treated as the norm rather than the exception - I know many people who regularly have to work 7am-7pm. You’re expected to juggle far too many responsibilities with unrealistic deadlines, and there’s very little recognition or support for the effort required to keep up.
The systems and processes in place are outdated and unreliable, which slows down even the simplest tasks. When these issues are raised, they’re either ignored or poorly handled, leaving teams to pick up the pieces and deal with the fallout on their own. You’d be inclined to think that a billion-pound company would have modern, reliable technology but instead you’re left with something that looks like it’s come from the 90s.
Micromanagement is another huge issue; there’s very little trust that you can do your job without someone hovering over every decision. Instead of being encouraged to learn and grow, you often feel monitored and criticised, which adds unnecessary stress to an already heavy workload. Management are extremely ‘set in their ways’ and will not consider different opinions or ideas. Everything is treated as life and death - when in reality you’re just selling a tshirt.
The overall environment can be extremely toxic. Communication is poor, morale is low, and when situations escalate, they’re rarely resolved in a fair or professional way. It is a very cliquey environment and don’t expect a promotion unless you’ve sold your soul. It feels like people are constantly burning out, but nothing changes. Expect to see someone crying in the office at least once a week.
Overall, the role may look appealing from the outside, but the reality is a demanding job with dysfunctional systems, inconsistent leadership, and a culture that wears you down. Proceed with caution if you value your well-being and work-life balance.
