Running a successful store in Retro Rewind means getting your hands on the best employees but also knowing how to manage your staff, store economy, and store operations. Staff is essential to running your store and they make or break your profit margins. If your store is suffering from long lines at the checkout, overflowing return bins, or employees who keep calling in sick in Retro Rewind, then you need to make serious changes to who you hire and where you position them in the store.
In this guide, we’ll cover unlocking employees, hiring the right people, every trait explained (with priorities), skill levels, role assignments, daily management tips, and more.
When to Unlock and Hire Employees in Retro Rewind
You start hiring employees when the store level 6 is reached. The first employee slot is unlocked but you’ll see $200+ daily profit to afford one. Until you have enough profit, DO NOT hire an employee. Hiring is done through the Staff Book in the back-room computer. Applicants refresh every day, so you don’t have to hire employees you don’t like; just wait for the next day for possibly better options.
Head to the Staff Book on the round table in the back room (near the bathroom/break room). It has two tabs:
- Applicants → Browse new hires with their traits, skill ratings, and daily pay.
- Employees → Manage your current staff (reassign, fire, etc.).
Check for new applicants every morning after opening the store. Best to hire new employees the day before a busy shift on rainy Fridays or holidays for to manage your store during rush hours.
Retro Rewind Employee Traits Guide (Tier List + Priorities)
The worst thing you can do is hire employees randomly without understanding what they offer. Employees have traits, a “Fast” employee should be on the checkout counter but if he has bad traits his fast dealings won’t be worth it.
Here’s the full Retro Rewind employee traits breakdown:
| Trait | Effect | Priority | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal | 0% chance of quitting, never asks for a raise | ★★★ BEST | Everyone (top pick) |
| Strong Immune System | Rarely/never takes sick days | ★★★ BEST | Reliability |
| Complaint Handler | Handles angry customers & late fees at checkout | ★★ Essential | Checkout station |
| Runner | Faster walk speed + quicker tasks | ★★ Very Good | All roles |
| Strong Bladder | Never takes bathroom breaks | ★★ Very Good | Long shifts |
| Thick-Skinned | Doesn’t complain/quit when yelled at to “work faster” | ★ Useful | Busy days |
| Energetic | Never falls asleep on the job | ★ Useful | Preventing downtime |
The best employees are the ones who are loyal, fast, and are less likely to fall sick. Such employees are more expensive to hire but the revenue boost in the long run is worth it. Prioritize Loyal + Strong Immune System above everything else. A loyal Average-speed employee is far better than a Fast one who quits after three days or calls in sick during peak hours.
Skill Levels (shown for Checkout and Return Station):
- Fast → Best speed
- Good → Solid
- Average → Standard
- Slow → Avoid unless desperate
Best Staff Roles & Scheduling Tips in Retro Rewind
Staff Book is not just for hiring but for staff roles and scheduling as well. Employees can be assigned to the stations you want via the Staff Book or by speaking to them directly. Speaking to them directly is faster. The following roles need your best employees so make sure to never ignore these positions.
- Checkout: Station an employee that is reliable and fast, preferably with a strong immune system as well. Checkout lines can get out of control fast so put your best employees at the checkout counter. One excellent employee on checkout > two mediocre ones splitting duties.
- Return Station / Back-Room Cleanup: Return station also demands your best employees. This employee will log tapes, rewound, and restock tapes properly. You can’t have someone lazy here. Hire someone with “Complaint Handler” and “Energetic” for this role.
- Floor Help: Later in Retro Rewind you’ll need a Floor Help to handle customer requests, shelf organization, and preventing gaps.
Run lean on calm days (handle opening chores yourself) but over staff on rainy Fridays, holidays, or new-release drop days. If the payroll is eating too much into your profits it is best to delay your next hire and handle things yourself or with a lean staff for the time being.
To fire employees, use the Staff Room or speak to them directly to fire on the spot.
Day-to-Day Employee Management
The store should be treated like a ruthless 90s management sim. If an employee has bad traits or repeated issues, fire them right away so they don’t keep eating into your profits. Yell “Work Faster” to light a fire, thick-skinned employees won’t have any issues with it. Often, you’ll see employees nodding off while at their stations. To wake them up approach them and interact with them immediately.
Don’t over work employees on sick days because denying too many sicks days will lead to staff leaving. You don’t want to lose good employees this way. However, fire repeat offenders who aren’t very good at their job.
