Step into the fluorescent-lit wonderland of Cloud 9, where buying toilet paper becomes a philosophical journey, and every scanner beep is a tiny cry for help. Would you believe me if I told you I used to work at one of these kinda stores?!
Everything in life is a struggle right now. I am quite unhappy at my job and I feel like I am not being treated like part of the team. Is it bullying? I don’t even know anymore… So… what do I do? I watch Superstore. Because it makes me realise that customers, and… some managers, are mostly stupid.
Superstore is the virtual retail therapy you didn’t know you needed, artfully combining the chaos of a big box store with all the charm of a group therapy session. It’s a workplace comedy that hits a bizarre sweet spot between “I’ve literally experienced this” and “Thank goodness I no longer work there“. And, just in case I’m not being clear… let’s say it again... Justin Spitzer has very accurately recreated the experience of working in a large retail store – in so many aspects.
The characters showcase a range of quirks and some of the different personalities you would find when working this type of job – although it’s clear not everyone has worked at a big box store… The stories accurately depict the reality of working in a corporate hierarchy. Sometimes, decisions are made that make absolutely no sense. Some customers, indeed, treat the store like their bathroom. It is what it is.
The series showcases the talents of America Ferrera (Amy), Ben Feldman (Jonah), Lauren Ash (Dina), Colton Dunn (Garrett), Nico Santos (Mateo), Nichole Sakura (Cheyenne), Kaliko Kauahi (Sandra), and Mark McKinney (Glenn) as a group of employees working at Cloud 9 Ozark Highlands store (Store 1217) set in St. Louis, Missouri.
Step right into the fantastical world of Cloud 9 Superstore, where shopping for the essentials gets a bit wild. Picture this: a megastore that’s part supermarket, part gun emporium, part pharmacy, and they even throw in a credit union and photo studio for good measure. Meet their former mascot, Kyle the Cloud, who took an unexpected turn toward the cannibalistic side of life.
Based in the windy city of Chicago, Cloud 9’s employee benefits are as mythical as their store. Forget about paid maternity leave, health insurance, or overtime pay – they’re as rare as a unicorn in these parts. Need a bathroom break? One per shift, please, and don’t forget to savour that luxurious 15-minute lunch break.
But hold on, the fun doesn’t stop there. Cloud 9 corporate likes to play puppet master, controlling everything from locks and lights to the tunes playing in the store. They’ve even had a rebranding moment, switching from Halo to Super Cloud and launching their very own magazine, Stratus.
I guess what I’m saying is that what sets Superstore apart is its ability to turn the mundane into the hilarious. Forget high-stakes drama; it’s the small victories and petty squabbles that make this show a retail rollercoaster of laughter. It is, for what it’s worth, a good option for those harder-than-normal days where you just need a reminder that it could, and has, been worse. Some of the arguments seem petty. Because they are. It’s a great set of examples of workplace bullying. Which happens often in these types of stores… It’s just an all-around amusing giggle at working retail.
The only thing stacking higher than the merchandise is the mountain of quirky characters, each more delightful than the expired yogurt in the employee fridge. Yes, I’m looking at you, Sandra. I have enjoyed watching the quirky team find their feet over the first few seasons. Everyone knows a Dina. Everyone has a Glenn in their organisation. And if you don’t know who the Marcus is… it’s probably you.
The humour is as sharp as a discount box cutter (haha, get it!?), tackling everything from corporate absurdity to the existential dread of deciding between paper or plastic. A retail rhapsody… a symphony of scanner beeps… and a reminder that sometimes, laughter is the best discount of all.
Cloud 9 isn’t just an American affair; they’ve got stores in more places than you’d believe. From Beijing to Mexico City, it’s a global shopping spree. And for a dash of behind-the-scenes magic, the pilot was filmed at a Kmart (complete with visible signage), but the rest of the series? That’s pure soundstage sorcery.
Throughout the seasons, Superstore blends workplace comedy with social commentary, creating an engaging and relatable show that highlights the challenges and absurdities of everyday working life in the retail sector. So… if you’ve ever found yourself contemplating life’s mysteries while stuck in the express lane behind someone with 30 items, Superstore is your therapeutic escape. Just be warned: you might never look at a megastore the same way again.
Grab your shopping cart and join the retail rebellion – which is not the same as the Mockingjay rebellion… – because at Cloud 9, the only thing they’re serious about is making you laugh.
Till next time.