The rise of department stores in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought changes to the nature of women’s employment. These stores hired more employees than traditional retail establishments, and women formed a significant proportion of this labor force. Working in department stores was lucrative for women because these stores offered a range of benefits that were absent in other labor fields that recruited female employees. The proliferation of department stores benefited women, store owners, and the society.
Women sought out employment in department stores to fill their time and earn an income. When the stores first emerged, women spent many hours shopping in these places to pass time (McBride, 216). The stores were heralded as places of fashion and beauty where women could find the meaning of life through excessive consumption. Later on, some of them became part of the labor force for the department stores. Another reason why women looked for employment in these businesses was to earn an income. Prior to this, many women worked in the domestic capacity where they did not receive monetary compensation. Providing commercial services in department stores allowed women to earn a living.
Female employees enjoyed a range of benefits from working in department stores. They were assured of financial compensation and did not have to provide free labor as was the case for women who worked in family-owned shops. A person was guaranteed of a certain amount of income depending on the duties they performed, including sales, mail order, and advertising (McBride, 218). Additionally, the compensation received higher than that of female employees in other areas of work. A store saleswoman could make up to 400 francs per month, while the average woman seldom exceeded 75 francs per month (McBride, 223). Saleswomen could achieve this high level of income due to commissions. Employees also enjoyed discounts on store purchases, and after working for a long period, they would qualify for pension funds. In general, employment at department stores came with great financial perks.
The high level of income received afforded female employees’ financial freedom. Since they could provide for themselves, they were not forced to rely on men for sustenance. Those who decided to marry were supported by the department stores in which they were employed. Some stores, such as the Louvre, paid maternity leave of up to six weeks. Other businesses paid their female employees for the birth of each child (McBride, 223). This meant that working in department stores did not necessarily mean a woman could not start a family. Instead, it meant that women were allowed the freedom to choose whether or not to marry. Thus, working in department stores was lucrative for young women.
Department store owners also benefitted from seeking and hiring women. First, female employees were considered more submissive than their male counterparts, hence less likely to strike (McBride, 219). Thus, store owners were assured of a relatively stable workforce. Second, female labor was cheaper and more readily available due to the limited opportunities available for women. Third, employers could exercise control over these group of workers. The employer-employee relationship between store owners and female employees was a mix of capitalism and paternalism, where employers could dictate how these women spent their time. The employers could monitor and restrict employee movement while also looking out for company reputation. Due to the benefits employers enjoyed from hiring women, department stores owners began to actively seek out female candidates for employment.
Female employment in department stores had a positive impact on society. It advanced the place of women in society because women no longer had to fully depend on men to provide for them. Additionally, more women joined the workforce since these stores recruited many employees, with Nouvelles Galeries hiring as many as 554 employees (McBride, 217). Besides, department stores led to the proliferation of restaurant chains where employees could eat, especially during free time on Sundays. Thus, the stores contributed to economic growth by providing employment to a large number of people and supporting other businesses. They also adopted paid vacation, sick leave, and healthcare plans for the employees to maintain a positive image (McBride, 224). This was a welcome change from traditional stores that did not provide any of the plans mentioned. These plans enhanced employee productivity and improved working conditions. In general, the rise of department stores positively impacted society.
In conclusion, the growth of department stores between 1870 and 1920 supported women’s employment outside the home. These stores quickly became associated with women because this was their largest demographic of shoppers. Soon, the stores began employing women to enjoy cheap and reliable labor. Female employees benefited in many ways from employment in department stores. They received financial compensation, which was sometimes high enough to support the lifestyle of a single woman in Paris, depending on one’s position. Employment at these stores also promoted women’s empowerment, and female employees did not have to depend on men for survival. More generally, department stores advanced the place of women in society.