Growing Pains - Merchandising Manager Five Below Employee Review

Five below's vision does not correlate with what we are able to realistically achieve in day to day store operations. They seem to be caught in between being a "discount store" atmosphere (merchandise motivated) and being a go to fun place for kids & tweens (customer experience motivated). Both can be achieved, but not with the current payroll structure - which causes most stores to have to sacrifice either one or the other. Many of their managers have either grown from with in the company or recruited in a lower position from other companies. Although this means there is alot of room for growth, the General Manager role at 5Below is not even comparable to an Assistant General Manager at already established retailers (Walmart, Target, Grocers, etc.) The several managers I've met/worked with all seemed to be lacking in team developmental skills, and seemed to feel a disconnect with corporate offices ever changing of priorities and daily routines. In order for stores to be successful and acquire and retain quality staff - they must train and pay their GMs to carry out 5Bs mission the way they envision it.