Universum is the global leader in employer branding. Annually, it conducts student surveys to determine their ideal employers — including retailers. In Part 1 of our two posts on these surveys, U.S. employers are highlighted. In Part 2, global/foreign employers will be highlighted.

The 2014 Universum U.S. Undergraduate Student Survey results are based on the responses of more than 46,000 undergraduate students: “Students choose an unlimited number of employers they would consider working for from a list of 230. From their ‘considered’ employers they choose their top five ‘Ideal’ employers. The Ideal Employer Rankings represent the companies with the most ‘Ideal’ votes.” 

These are the top-rated firms with a strong retail presence according to Universum’s U.S. undergraduate survey (in alphabetical order):

Amazon.com

Apple

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Gap

H&M

Ikea

Macy’s

Nordstrom

Starbucks

Target

Walt Disney

Click the image to access the listing of the 100 most ideal employers according to U.S. undergraduate business students. 

Here are the company factors that ALL of the U.S. undergraduates surveyed (regardless of major) consider most important in their job search. 

The 2014 Universum U.S. MBA Student Survey results are based on the responses of more than 2,500 MBA students: “Students choose an unlimited number of employers they would consider working for from a list of 230. From their ‘considered’ employers they choose their top five ‘Ideal’ employers. The Ideal Employer Rankings represent the companies with the most ‘Ideal’ votes.”