What Are the Best Retail Companies to Work For in the U.S.?

By Barbara Farfan, About.com Guide

Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Office

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Question: What Are the Best Retail Companies to Work For in the U.S.?

Which retail employers have the best employee benefits? Which retail companies have values that match yours? Which retail chains are the most financially stable? Which retail companies are the most reputable and most admired? Which retail employers have the best opportunities for advancement?

Answer: What are the best retail companies to work for in the U.S.? The indefinite answer to this frequently asked retail employment question is "It depends on what you define as 'best.'"

The "best" retail company to work for will be the one that has the best combination of attributes that are important to you. In order to find an ideal retail work situation, you first have to be clear about what your "ideal" is. Once you are clear about your own retail employment preferences, it's just a matter of research to find the company that matches you best.

U.S. Retail Companies With the Best Benefits: For some people, the "best" retail job would be the one with the best benefits and health insurance program.

Best Company to Start a Retail Career: If you're new to the retail job market, then the retail companies that excel at launching retail careers would be your "best" employer.

Business Week Best Companies to Launch a Retail Career

Best Career Advancement Potential: If you want to work for a retail company with the best career advancement potential, then you'll need to apply for jobs at retail companies that are expanding in the U.S. and around the world.

Most Socially Responsible Retail Companies: If social responsibility is important to you, then the "best" retail employer for you would be a company that has strong green retailing practices.

Most Financially Stable Retail Chains: If financial stability is important to you, then you will probably want to start your retail job search by looking at financial results.

Retailers With the Best Customer Service: If you are a customer service fanatic, then you will love working for companies that make customer service a high priority.

Retail Customer Service Champs

Retail Companies With the Best Reputation: If company pride is important to you, a look at the "most reputable" and "most admired" retail companies may reveal your "best" employment options.

Just because you are clear about which retail company you think would be the best employer for you doesn't mean that the feeling will be mutual. If nothing else, though, once you've spent some time deciding what the "best" employer would be, you'll have a fantastic answer for "Why do you want to work here?" in your job interview.

More Retail Job Search Information: