Hilarious Comics That All Retail Workers Will Probably Relate To (30 New Pics) 2026

Working in the retail industry is a challenging task, and only retail employees are fully aware of the numerous ups and downs they have to face during their working hours. Either it’s the overbearing managers or the difficult customers who are tough to deal with, when you’ve had enough of the customers’ silly questions and when you’re being asked to work long hours on a routine basis. All of these things will lead you to the conclusion that it’s time to find a better job.

Having a sense of humor while working in retail can help you get through the tough times. If you work in the store sector, it is understandable that you find it difficult to deal with a diverse range of people while working long hours for very low wages. Artist Stephen Beals believes that there are numerous resources available to those who work in retail, that is why he created some amazing retail comics that every retail worker can relate to.

So, check out these comic illustrations by scrolling down!

1. That’s a kind act!

Stephen Beals is the main character in these comics, and is divided into four different parts. Isn’t this an interesting concept?

This artist thinks that everyone has  different personalities. If not all, then atleast Stephen has “four usable ones.”

Penny and Berle are brother and sister, according to the artist’s explanation. Harvey (named after Stephen’s grandfather) has known them since they were children and has developed a close friendship with Penny over the course of many years.

Harvey reflects Stephen’s ego, Berle represents his complete identification, Penny represents his small portion of responsibility, and Claremont (the dog) represents Stephen at his best, “which is why he’s a dog.” Todd (an extra) is also present, and he represents the artist’s naive side.

2. Whether one is vaccinated or not, that is always disgusting.

3. In retail, this is truly the best part of the day.

The artist once told that he graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a degree in animation. According to Stephen, he was still a teenager and thus stupid for nearly all of his college years.c

“I made a bad choice. I love animation and film, but I ultimately didn’t want to work in the industry. I wanted to make comics, which notoriously doesn’t pay enough to buy the luxuries I’ve grown accustomed to, like toilet paper, so I wound up working for the university library. I love libraries! Who doesn’t? If you don’t, find out more at your local library.”

Stephen continued: “The library I worked for was busy. Very busy. ‘I’m going to die’ busy. I dealt with every kind of person imaginable. Libraries are similar to retail except they’re free to the public, so everyone is welcome unless they are actively trying to set the place on fire.”

4. This entire globe need humans like Tabby.

5. And that’s how you lose your job.

“I thought about becoming a librarian, but I spent quite a bit of money on my art degree and it was kind of like letting a good bottle of milk spoil. I left to work in advertising. For quite a few years I designed every ad conceivable and worked on marketing strategies to sell things that I wouldn’t buy unless it was to resolve some sort of hostage negotiation. Advertising wound up being somewhat cold and monotonous. I missed people, even the weird ones like myself.

At times, I would work part-time at large retail stores to help pay for my expensive habit of heating my house. I liked working with people again, but it was hard to get passionate about daily retail concerns like price tag placement or expired candy bars.

I combined my two passions and made a conscious decision to go back to serving the public at a print shop. I wound up working for quite a few printing establishments and now work for one of the biggest. I get to design things and deal with very strange people at times. Perfect!”

6. We all agree to this statement: “I hate parents, not kids”

7. When you realize that it’s okay to say nothing at times, you become the master of your life.

Despite the fact that the artist is busy working at the print shop, he manages to post comics every day. Stephen considers it to be the best part of his day.

“To paraphrase the great writer Shelby Foote, ‘It takes me a very long time to get started on something and I solve that problem by never stopping once I’ve started.'”

For the artist, the most difficult part of the creative process is conveying the concept he is attempting to convey. “I’ve heard other cartoonists describe writing comics as being similar to writing poetry, and I used to scoff at that, but I now think it’s true. The pacing with dialog has to be on key or it doesn’t work. I know this because I’ve made hundreds of comics that don’t work. Honestly, that’s the way I learn everything. A few hundred failures equal success.

“There’s an old adage that good writing can overcome bad art, but good art can never overcome bad writing. I depend heavily on this adage when I’m in a hurry. Some comics I make only for me, like the one I did using iambic parameter. Those are too much fun to count as failures even if I’m the only one enjoying it.”

8. Now that’s the fastest way to get fired.

9. Ugh! a sad reality but we’ll hate working overtime.

Stephen loves to write. He once stated: “If there’s anything that I love as much as comics, it’s books. I am constantly listening to an audiobook, reading a book, and reading blogs. If offered a writing gig I would not hesitate to throw myself into it.”

The artist is also a huge fan of old humorists. “Many humorous essay books were illustrated by very good cartoonists and I always think of those as perfect books. I hope to have an eBook out, if only to please myself and have something for people to actually buy. Short of that, a blog post or weekly essay is something I wish to resume (I did do that some time ago for websites that no longer exist).”

10. Well, good manners cost nothing.

11. Those who have worked as cashiers can relate to this one.

What originally made the artist passionate about comics was newspaper cartoonists from his childhood. “It’s such a unique form of entertainment. Today, my passion remains alive by those who are currently making comics. I would put today’s crowd of cartoonists up against any in the history of the medium. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of my fellow creators and they never cease to make me laugh and love everything about cartooning.”

12. A little percentage discount can be a great perk at times.

13. That joy you feel when you get a day off.

“I receive more personal responses to my comics about retail than anything I’ve ever made in the past. People have written me to share some very hilarious stories as well as others that describe painful work scenarios. Really, that’s more rewarding than any amount of money. As far as I know. I’d like to test that theory by getting a large amount of money and comparing the two, but this experiment lacks funding.”

14. Doesn’t this comic strip hit hard?

15. Why is quitting your job the best plan ever?

16. That is how companies lose valuable employees.

17. Working as a retail employee itself is a truly horrible show.

18. That’s a fairly common problem these days to which we can relate.

19. Nothing is more terrifying than having the worst work dream, and we’ll hate this.

20. Taking a nap at work is not always a great idea.

21. Why do these managers appear at odd times?

22. Working in retail appears to be similar to working in a prison.

23. Well, someone has the audacity to say that.

24. Having a new book is always a good idea.

25. Calling employees after work hours should be considered illegal.

26. That’s how you get a new LIFE.

27. Nobody spoils the fun with Tacos!

28. Why is it that these poor staffs are always held responsible?

29. What a dreadful job it is.

30. Shh… Life does not exist in this world only.

Which retail comic drew your attention the most? Let us know in the comments section below!