Founded in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1987, Kipling designs and crafts lightweight handbags, backpacks, totes, luggage and accessories that combine practical functionality with effortless style. Renowned for our signature crinkled nylon fabric and iconic monkey keychain, the brand reflects who we are: curious, playful and ready for anything. For over 30 years, we've created durable, light-weight, water-resistant bags in expressive colours and patterns for women. Available in more than 7,500 retailers across 80 countries, we also have a wide range of children's school essentials including backpacks and pencil cases. Whether you're headed to the city, the beach, the office, the gym, our products are designed for real life. For women who are constantly on the move. Our versatile designs are the everyday grab-and-go essential that perfectly combine comfort and style. With Kipling, people can move freely and life more fully. Life feels lighter, which is why our brand promise is Live Light. Our culture is as vibrant as our bags. We're a diverse team of people-first believers who celebrate curiosity, spontaneity, and the freedom to be your true self. We're powered by the belief that when work becomes a calling, you get so much more out of life - and we want that for everyone who joins us. Kipling is part of VF Corporation, a global leader in outdoor, active and workwear brands dedicated to powering movements of sustainable and active lifestyles.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
14
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: The leadership team at Kipling's Central Valley location is genuinely supportive and approachable. They provide good training for new hires, fostering a collaborative work environment. I appreciated the emphasis on teamwork and feeling valued within the store operations.
Cons: Sometimes, during peak shopping seasons like holidays, the workload can become quite intense, making it tough to maintain work-life balance. Also, opportunities for vertical career progression within a single store can feel a bit limited for sales associates.
Advice to Management: Continue to foster the strong team atmosphere and supportive leadership that makes Kipling a pleasant place to work. Consider implementing more structured development paths or cross-training opportunities for dedicated retail sales associates.
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Pros: I really appreciate the flexible scheduling options here. It's fantastic for balancing personal commitments, which isn't always common in fashion retail. The team at our San Marcos, TX store is incredibly supportive and collaborative.
Cons: Sometimes during peak holiday seasons, the workload can feel a bit overwhelming, and it takes a while to get approvals for small store needs. Communication from corporate could also be more frequent.
Advice to Management: Continue to prioritize and support flexible scheduling for your retail associates, as it significantly boosts morale and retention. Also, explore ways to streamline the approval process for store-level operational requests.
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Pros: I really appreciate the team spirit here at Kipling; everyone, from other sales associates to store management, is supportive. We work together well, especially during peak shopping seasons at Woodbury Common. There are good opportunities to learn about visual merchandising and customer engagement strategies, which is valuable in the retail sector.
Cons: Sometimes during extremely busy periods, especially weekends and holidays, communication about stock levels or new product launches can be a bit challenging. The approval process for certain customer requests or discounts can also take a little longer than ideal, impacting transaction speed for our retail customers.
Advice to Management: Continue fostering the strong team environment and open communication, especially for our Retail Sales Associates. Investing a bit more in quick access to information regarding inventory and streamlining discount approvals would greatly enhance efficiency and the overall customer experience in our
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Is there a strict dress code policy for client-facing roles at Kipling, or is it more relaxed?
For customer-facing roles in Kipling's retail stores, the dress code is business casual. We're encouraged to wear our own Kipling bags, but otherwise, it's about presenting a professional yet approachable image.
What's it like working in a fast-paced retail environment like Kipling?
Working at Kipling means being part of a dynamic team, constantly engaging with customers and helping them find the perfect bag. The energy is great, and you really learn a lot about customer service in the fashion retail industry, especially in a large company.
What's it like working at Kipling, especially in marketing roles for a global apparel company?
Working at Kipling offers a dynamic environment for marketing professionals within the global travel accessories industry. The company size fosters collaboration, making it easy to contribute to impactful campaigns.
What's the typical interview process like for a retail associate role at Kipling?
My interview for the retail associate position at Kipling involved an initial screening call followed by an in-person interview where we discussed customer service scenarios and my fit with the brand's values. It was a straightforward process for this fashion retail job.
What is it like to be a CEO at a global accessories company like Kipling, and what are the key challenges in the retail industry?
Leading a company like Kipling, a global leader in bags and accessories, involves navigating the fast-paced retail sector. The biggest challenges often revolve around adapting to evolving consumer trends and maintaining brand relevance across diverse markets.
What's the interview process like for a marketing role at Kipling in San Francisco?
My interview for a marketing specialist position at Kipling involved a screening call, a technical interview focusing on digital marketing strategy, and a final panel interview with the marketing team. The company culture felt collaborative, typical for a mid-sized fashion accessories company.
What's the dress code like at Kipling for a marketing role in London?
At Kipling's London office, the dress code is pretty business casual. I usually wear smart trousers or a skirt with a nice top, which fits in well with the creative marketing team and aligns with our company size.
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