For context I'm in the UK but I'm sure this happens elsewhere.
I'm fortunate enough to be in quite a comfortable office job and get on well with my colleagues there. We were talking about previous jobs on a lunch break once and someone was telling me about her role as a manager at JD Sports (clothing/sportswear chain store).
I genuinely couldn't believe how much shit she was responsible for. Managing multiple floors, security, ensuring everything was pristine, hitting ridiculous KPIs. One thing that really got me is when she said the regional managers would chastise them if sales VS footfall went down? So I guess it was her job to be a sales person on top of everything else that was going on as well. And for all that she was barely being paid above minimum wage.
I think what really summed it up was when I asked “was it harder than your job now?” and she said yes without a doubt. Baring in mind we both earn a fair bit more than minimum wage now doing something that's a lot comfier and less stressful overall.
Not really sure where I'm going with this but damn. Retail workers get taken advantage of to a massive degree and I don't think most of them realise it until they escape the system.