Earlier this year, Nordstrom spokesperson told Loyalty360 that the company’s overarching No. 1 goal is to always improve customer service and deliver a great customer experience. That, he added, “is at the heart of our business model.”
Apparently, Nordstrom’s No. 1 goal has resonated internally within its company culture and, externally, with its loyal customer base.
CareerBliss recently released a report that identified the Happiest Retail Employers for 2016. At the top of the list? Yep, you guessed it: Nordstrom.
CareerBliss evaluated thousands of independent company reviews, analyzing the key factors that impact workplace happiness. Despite consumers’ ability to shop online whenever they wish, consumers still feel that an in-store retail experience is part of their overall holiday practice. The CareerBliss data shows shoppers exactly which stores have the happiest employees this season.
“Amidst the controversy of boycotts which run along political party lines, Nordstrom continues to have employees which rank them No. 1 for happiness this holiday,” said Heidi Golledge, chief happiness officer and co-founder of CareerBliss. “Nordstrom outranked some of the nation’s largest retailers. When deciding to spend your holiday dollars, it is nice to know which retail companies value their employees and treat them accordingly.”
After Nordstrom, the following retailers rounded out the Top 10 Happiest Retail Employers for 2016: Best Buy, J.C. Penney, The Home Depot, Walgreens, AutoZone, Lowe’s Companies, Toys R Us, The Gap, and Ross Stores.
CareerBliss’ data evaluates the key factors that impact happiness at work including work-life balance, senior management, compensation, benefits, job security, employee tasks, company culture, and work environment. The results are generated from CareerBliss.com review submissions and serve to provide insight into employers.
“With thousands of independent employee reviews in retail, we know what really drives sales and customer engagement during the holiday season,” Golledge added. “Nordstrom, which offers a higher average salary than most retailers on the list, also promotes positive work environments, employee reward programs, and employee discounts that help increase overall happiness.”
For all retailers in the top 10 CareerBliss Happiest Retail Employer List for 2016, common factors for workplace happiness were: work environment, the opportunity for growth, and relationship with senior managers.
Retailers with scores that ranked below the happiness average of 2.5 included Macy’s, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Office Depot.
“We know the holidays can be fun, but also stressful and it is important to acknowledge the retailers that are fostering happy workplaces for consumers and employees this holiday,” says Golledge.
This year, L2 released a variety of reports, ranking brand aptitude when it comes to digital prowess. It ranks retailers’ overall digital IQ from four areas: site and e-commerce skills, digital marketing, social media, and mobile strategies. In the retail category, Nordstrom was one of four brands that attained L2’s Genius status.
“The beauty of retail is velocity and face time with the customer,” Patrick Reynolds, vice president of marketing at SessionM, previously told Loyalty360. “It’s not just what they leave the store with. It’s what they come in with. How it changes sharply or over time. Every great merchant is a keen observer of people in life. Customers inform retailers on fashion and trends as much as the opposite. Through their service, generous policies, and real value proposition, each delivers on customer needs brilliantly. Loyalty from a legion of evangelists is their common calling card.”