The Movement team is responsible for stocking products in the store, with executive manager Meredith, group manager Little Will, and team members Nicole, Ruby, Diego, Val, Milo, Joyce, Travis, Raymond, and Callie.

"[3] Kirkus Reviews found "emotional intelligence, wry humor, and sensitivity to matters of money and class" similar to Waldman's previous work The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.[4] The depiction of retail workers was also a focus of praise.

Katy Waldman (no relation) of The New Yorker wrote that the novel "washes labor in a stately, almost Steinbeckian light, emphasizing its difficulty but also its dignity.

"[7] Kisner also found the plot to be relatable: "...The relentless grind in which these characters find themselves won’t change.

[1] Similarly, Publishers Weekly commented: "Though Waldman touches only briefly on the employees’ personal lives, making it difficult to keep all the characters straight, the narrative builds to a satisfying and surprising conclusion.