Five companies from the Sporting Goods industry: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, LL Bean, and REI. Comparably collects anonymous self-submitted employee sentiment about the workings of the company culture and the satisfaction of said employees, and generates Overall Scores based on those sentiment reviews. So which of these five companies treats their employees the most like they care about retention and understand the modern workplace? And which are still operating like its the 20th century?
OVERALL CULTURE
No A’s for overall culture from this group, but this may be due to the more centrally brick-and-mortar nature of some of these stores and the attendant financial woes. LL Bean (who have been shipping orders since before it was cool) beats runner-up Cabela’s by just one percentage point. C range scores for Cabela’s, Bass Pro, and REI.
Bass Pro Shops: “Conservation really is a focus of the company and that is apparent from training on.”
Cabela’s: “I really like working for Cabela’s. The people I work with are what makes it the most fun.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “We sell fun as a business. People don’t come here to buy insurance. They are buying basketball hoops, ping pong tables, kayaks and all types of fun stuff, which is cool.”
L.L. Bean: “You can tell the company cares about both its employees and customers.”
REI: “The people I work with love the outdoors and that makes them fun to be around.”
CEO & LEADERSHIP
LL Bean’s Stephen Smith wins for CEO, beating REI’s Jerry Schwoebel and Cabela’s Thomas Millner, who missed first place by a handful of points.
Bass Pro Shops: “Leadership is personable, but goals are not always clear.”
Cabela’s: “Leadership team communicates pretty well and sets expectations that can be reached.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “The CEO’s decision to go anti-gun has killed the firearms department at our store which was once the best department.”
L.L. Bean: “Friendly, energetic, extremely helpful, calm environment, no drama.”
REI: “All of the leadership that I’ve worked with has been very supportive and down to earth.”
COMPENSATION
No A’s for compensation. LL Bean takes the win with almost three-quarters approval. Cabela’s and REI place well, with Dick’s and Bass Pre Shops rating creakier scores.
Bass Pro Shops: “The compensation for working at this establishment does not equal the amount of money the company is making. There are a lot of undervalued employees who do not make enough.”
Cabela’s: “Great team, we work hard and work together. We deserve more pay.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “Paid very little compared to similar jobs.”
L.L. Bean: “I get a bonus for my hard work.”
REI: “Pay should be higher with the limited benefits that are offered.”
PERKS & BENEFITS
REI wins a trophy for Perks & Benefits, barely beating LL Bean’s score. Bass Pro Shops and – especially D-rated Cabela’s and Dick’s need to work on their benefits packages if they want more serious employee commitment.
Bass Pro Shops: “Health insurance is the best. Great coverage.”
Cabela’s: “Great discounts, especially for outfitters that have been onboard a long time.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “25% discount on regularly priced items.”
L.L. Bean: “Paid holidays, time off, 401k”
REI: “REI is really focused on work-life balance. You get paid vacations if you work more than 20 hours a week and you get 2 free days off a year paid.”
DIVERSITY
Lots of B’s for Diversity, which measures how employees of color rate their experience. LL Bean shares the win with Bass (who stepped up here), barely beating REI. Dick’s is in last place.
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “Dick’s needs to hirea much more diverse work force.”
L.L. Bean: “Just because I’m a female, I’m treated differently.”
REI: “A decent amount of diversity. I would not say people are hired based on ethnicity, but on qualifications.”
OUTLOOK
Bass Pro Shops: “I love interacting with people and seeing them excited about their outdoor adventures.”
Cabela’s: “I love the outdoors and I truly enjoy working here.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods: “I think there are rough days ahead.”
L.L. Bean: “That I can work in a stress free environment, there is only positive vibes, everyone is very friendly.”
REI: “I look forward to it more than any job I’ve had before. It’s still work, but it’s much easier to go somewhere where you like the vibe and your co workers and your job.”
REI wins in Outlook, just beating LL Bean and Cabela’s. LL Bean wins the whole thing with four wins. Dick’s and, to an extent, Bass Pro Shops are gaining poor reputations among their employees in certain key culture areas and will want to shape up there.
