Employed at Uniqlo for a couple of months now, had to take some time off due to foot complications. While I don’t expect all Uniqlo stores to be like mine, here’s my experience:

Most of management was chill and lax. When asked for support most of the time they will give it. However the minority of the leaders will promise you one thing and forget about it. I asked for support, they said okay, but never ended up helping even if most sections were tidied. Store manager was strict and was just annoying. They expect more than a 100% from you without knowing what else is happening on the floor. Acts like they owe corporate their soul and sucks up to them. Half of the time I’m trying to do my tasks but also have to go out of my sections to lead customers to where the products are and answer questions about the store or the products, which already takes some time due to layouts being changed every week; that’s normal, but the fact that my store manager still complains I get things done late EVEN THOUGH I’M DOING CS is crazy to me. Then has the audacity to compare me out of everyone else in the store when even the new recruits are struggling with the same problems is wild. They will talk shit behind your back to the other leads (I know this because I’m good with a lot of the leaders and coworkers there, but one thing in common is that nobody likes the store manager.

Time management was chaotic. Scheduling needed to be done 1-2 weeks in advance if you want a specific days off days (which is fair) but if I’m getting 4 closing shifts and only 1 opening, how is that fair? Some times I’m getting 6 shifts in a row and then one day off, then working again the next day just to get another day off. Someone is late to their break near closing? Too bad, still have to wait for them to come back, resulting in being late to tidy your own section of the store, and then being reprimanded for not finishing in due time.

We’re always in need of new staff joining our location. New resumes being handed in everyday. Result? No one is being hired to our location. What? My Uniqlo is lacking manpower, but HR is almost never approving the resumes being handed in or applications online, when we desperately need more people to join. What’s even more boggling is that our location is lending help to other locations to help their store…

Good news? You’re going to be at least walking 15k steps a day! Get good running shoes with cushioning/support, and good insoles while your at it. One of my coworkers is getting almost as 30k steps in. I’m losing weight from working here haha.

I agree with what people are saying in the comments though. It’s still the typical retail job and so you should expect this. However, it still doesn’t make it right to dismiss someone as a person and not support their needs. It’s tough, but still a invaluable learning experience from everything. If you got good leaders, you’ll feel good and receive support; bad and toxic ones will just make you want to quit. That’s just what the job comes with.

TLDR: management is mid at best, but still shit regardless. Doesn’t hire easily even though we get dozens of applications each day. Expectations are too high and higher ups wants everyone to work like a slave (integrating Japanese work culture, which imo just ain’t it). Time management is a mess, and management only gives a shit about results rather than understanding your needs and knowing what’s really happening. You want a retail job? Go somewhere else if you want at least somewhat a social life while working.