Posted on 02/21/2010 11:45:36 AM PST by Captain Peter Blood
About six months ago Wal-Mart instituted a new reorganization at the store level and I would like to know in this space of time what your shopping experience at Wal-Mart has been.
Before the reorganization there seemed to be enough help to service the customers, keep the floor stocked and take care of the store. Since the reorganization it seems the opposite is true.
Six months ago the store management structure was changed along with hiring and staffing procedures.
Wal-Mart now has a store manager, at least two shift managers, they supposedly handle all day to day operations; Several assistant managers, a new position called Zone Merchandise Supervisor, and the Department Managers.
The Zone Merchandise Supervisors are in charge of what is known as pads, those are large areas of the store such as Apparel, Entertainment, Grocery and Hard Lines. These people took over several of the functions that the assistant managers had except they are paid hourly. They supervise the Department managers and merchandise their areas. A lot of responsibility for basically a two dollar an hour raise.
All hiring is done through a district hiring office, there is no hiring allowed at the individual store anymore. Wal-Marts plan is for most all stores to be 70% part time workers and 30% full time. All hiring needs for a store have to be in the form of a requisition to the district hiring office, especially if it is for a full time position.
All hiring and staffing needs are based on the allotted hours for a particular department and more importantly how many pieces of merchandise are sold on an hourly and day to day basis. These figures are updated on a monthly and quarterly basis.
The implementation of this plan though has lead to staffing shortages and an inability for management, especially the Zone Merchandise Supervisors to be able to do their jobs as originally outlined.
The following is a typical day in Wal-Mart Store management routines:
At around 7:00 AM the Store Manager tours the store with the day Shift Manager where they take notes of what needs to be done.
At 8:00 AM there is a management staff meeting where various notes are given out to the assistant managers for their areas.
At 8:30 AM the assistant managers meet with their area Zone Merchandise Supervisor to give them the notes they got and the ZMS divvies those notes out to the area Department Managers to get done usually by the close of business that day.
Next up is, starting at 9:00 AM the Shift Manager, and a assistant manager along with an area ZMS do a more detailed tour of an area where more notes are generated that will be given to a specific Department manager to do in a specific time frame.
These type of tours go on all day to catch every ZMS’ area to tour at least one department.
Then at approximately 2:30 p.m. and again at 4:00 p.m. ZMS’s and then assistants meet with senior store management to see how many notes were completed for the day.
So you see the new structure is about giving out tour notes, things that need to be addressed or done in departments , Zones of the store and, a lot of meetings.
One of Sam Walton’s most famous quotes for Associates was that,” We’ll take care of the associates and they will take care of the customers”. I am not sure I believe that is true anymore.
What have your shopping experiences been in Wal-Mart these last several months? Have you found things about the same or have you found customer service lacking? Are the front check- out lanes always crowded with not enough cashiers?
I would like to hear feedback on this in order to gauge what is going on in other parts of the country.
I buy less but my bill seems to be higher after the remodeling? 1/2 of the thngs I used to buy they don’t stock anymore. I’m to the point of frustration with the store that I’m going out next week to price a few places and if I can buy what I want elsewhere I won’t be shopping there much at all anymore.
My local Country Mart has better prices than the local walmart. It also has more USA products. Additional plus - the distribution center is from my state (Missouri)hereas Walmart is from Arkansas.
When I do go to Walmart, I try to avoid anything made in China. They have never had enough people to help. They also have strange distribution schedules.
For example, we have a small coffee pot. They only get shipments of the small filters in just before Christmas. When those run out, they don’t get anymore until October or November.
I used to think Walmart was great. Since Sam died and they became so hooked up with China, I try to avoid them as much as possible.
The employees at my Walmart are always talking and complaining to each other while they stock the shelves, but at least they are friendly and helpful when I interrupt to ask for help. I go to Dollar Store as much as possible.
My big complaint is the China Merchandise. I try to buy American as much as possible. I usually go to Dollar Store, Country Mart or Alps. We don't have a Costco or Sams etc.
Can you blame them? I'd kill myself if that was the only job available.
I only shop the Walmart grocery stores. I have several that are closer to my home then the supercenters. Are you in the KC area? If so, where is the country mart you go to?
There's not many Country Marts in the western side of the state, but there are some Alps stores which are pretty good, and ours is cheaper than Walmart - limited selections though.
There is a Country Mart in Branson (best one for selection) and West Plains. I usually go to Branson once a year, and get a lot of staples that aren't available at my home store.
Then we check out the outlet stores, and go to a music show.
On some items it can be a $2 dollar difference (cereals, bread, juices, etc.).As far as employees, it's pretty much like any place else. Some are helpful and friendly and other not so much so. The down side is the parents who let their kids run wild, piercing screams. I have had to cut my shopping short just to get away.
Sometimes the shelves are stripped bare. My Wal-Mart sells guns, ammo and has a fabric section. I try to go early afternoon and never shop around the first of the month when welfare checks are issued. I don't buy my beef there. I will buy ham, chickens but if you notice the beef is not wrapped directly to the meat, it is puffed up with a special kind of "air" to "preserve" the beef. I was told about this from a butcher from a chain store.
I shop at Costco too, but what I like about Wal-Mart is that I don't have to buy the volume to get a good price. I appreciate having a Wal-Mart during these tough economic times.
I visit it frequently, too, for a little cheering up. (It’s either that or laughing babies on YouTube.)
Same here - but I have decided that most of the problem comes from those nasty flourescent lights. My eyes turn red and start burning, within five minutes of entering the store. Then the headache starts.
I tend to avoid Wal-mart. They are basically the China retail store and have greatly contributed to forcing our suppliers to all head overseas. Sam Walton believed in American based manufacturers and would be appalled at what has happened to his company. When I do go there, I have noticed the aisles are much wider as they have obviously jettisoned a large number of items from their shelves during these economic hard times.
I used to be a big fan of them back when Sam ran it, but they are now ran by lowest common denominator management. Maximize the profits, screw everything else. It would be nice if they were a better corporate citizen to their country and their employees. Since they are the 500lb gorilla of retail, where they lead others are forced to follow. If enough consumers stop going there for various reasons they might change their ways but probably not.
You can understand them? Everyone at my Walmart speaks Spanish.
LOL. Yes we do not have much diversity here.
Como?
Donde?
¿Por qué?
¿Cómo?
¿Dónde?
You probably offended someone with your orthography. Now apologize. [/s]
1. Wal-Mart has some problems.
2. The U.S. has some of the same problems.
3. Observing your local Wal-Mart is probably a very good way of determining whether or not you want to live in the community where the Wal-Mart is located.
oh, yah, okay, sure, NOT.
[/s]
pecynichasm = The gulf that exists between your selfish negativity and my own. /s LOL
Mene’s use of the /s tag with BHF just causes any pecynichasm to enlarge like a prostrate gone wild.
Pessimistic+cynical+chasm= pecynichasm
I GOT it. :-))
LOL
Can’t have any fun without having to /s myself to death.
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