Posted on 01/31/2012 5:32:30 AM PST by rawhide
Supermarket chain Walmart is to dispense with the outdoor 'people greeters' who have traditionally welcomed customers outside its stores.
The retailer got rid of its night-shift greeters four months ago, and now intends to move day-shift staff inside its shops.
Known for welcoming shoppers with 'a cart and a smile,' the greeters have been a feature of the chain's customer service since 1980, when the store's founder decided that 'aggressive hospitality' would help set it apart from competitors.
While many staff have expressed fears that their jobs will soon be scrapped, Walmart spokesman David Tovar said, 'they're not going anywhere'.
He said the greeters would be given more responsibility under the indoor move, so that they can 'really focus on customer service,' and interact more with customers.
Jerome Allen, a greeter from Fort Worth in Texas, said he has been allocated a new job standing in 'high traffic' areas of the store, asking customers if they need any assistance, and directing the flow of traffic.
He said his hours have been cut, and that he fears he will soon be made redundant.
Mr Tovar said the decision was a way to to rein in costs and prices.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
My experience too. They are so nice that we even stop to chat for a few seconds before going in or leaving.
Thanks, I appreciate that. It’s SOP for any retail worker - you NEVER try to stop someone because shoplifting isn’t worth getting stabbed, or shot. The store will “eat” the cost because it’s much cheaper than having a worker be disabled for the rest of their lives (or dead). Also, I assume insurance policies on workers have something to do with that as well.
You’d be surprised at how some “shoplifters” react to being stopped by (real) security. The weekends were always a lot of fun at my KMart - always at least one tough guy who thought the 3-4 burly security guards who WILL get physical if necessary were pushovers. We could have had “pay-per-view” and made money on some of those “apprehensions” of suspects!
Luckily, no knives or guns (unless you count the armed robbery w/hostage taking that occurred on Sunday night - when I was off work thank God - the girl who worked the service desk that night was the hostage). THAT was a rare occurrence and I don’t think it even got into the papers that it happened - there was some thought it was an “inside job”. But, we’re talking assault rifles (from the description of those who were there) - something you’d see in a movie or something - definitely NOT a common or everyday occurrence by any stretch of the imagination.
Still, at least in large population areas (like Denver, Chicago, LA, etc...) there “needs” to be ARMED security at these retail locations - at least ONE person with the ability to actually do something about various situations.
*have to leave for a Doc’s appointment now. Will check pings later... :)
I hate going to Wal-mart. I get depressed from their lighting. The workers are rude, lazy and damn ugly. Talk about ugly. Sit in your car and watch what walks into that place.
I really like shopping at Pubix. They are very helpful, pleasent,clean, better dressed and eazier on the eyes.Yes you pay a little more but it’s worth it.
You sound like a Union Member to me.
I have no idea what you mean, NTTAWWT.
That explains the cleanliness problem, but what about the People of Walmart? The clientele is definitely different.
But the main reason why I’ve switched to Target is that I’m in and out quickly. The lines are never more than 2 customers deep. I understand cost-control, but this is short-sighted, since I have permanently switched.
I was planning to become a WalMart greeter after I retire.
I did, too, until this month.
This past month my artificial knee became infected and had to be removed surgically. I was very grateful to have a Wall Mart greeter show me how to use the electric carts and to help me with my crutches. ( They have a special storage cabinet for them.)
(Hopefully, if the infection is gone, I will get a new knee in March. )
Glad they helped you with your knee, but I dislike all greeters.
When I am on my way somewhere with a list and thoughts in my head about something I might have forgotten, do not want to deal with extra chit-chat.
Especially dislike bank greeters, though. Just let me get to the window and get out. Already I will have to talk to the teller anyway.
We’ve got a Wal-Mart in the area that I refer to as the crappy Wal-Mart. It’s been revamped into a mini-Super Wal-Mart so it isn’t as crappy as it once was. Anyway, it’s a fairly crappy area of town so I’m sure the store has encountered a lot of problems. The security that rides around in his little truck is the size of Mickey Rooney and probably the same age—maybe a little younger. What’s he going to do? ‘m not sure if they still have him there or not, but the last few times I’ve been to that Wal-Mart and the Sam’s up the road they actually have cop up front. I feel much more comfortable with that presence than I do with Mickey Rooney.
I think they are referring to outside greeters as in outside the store where the carts are stored.
The only outside greeters I’m familiar with are at the garden center, and that is only during season when all that outside area is open.
The carts are brought back from the parking lots and brought inside.
I guess you would call it the lobby area. It’s outside the store, but not outside in the elements. I would call that inside too, but I think that’s what they are meaning. I’ve been to Wal-Marts all over this region and all the surrounding states and never seen one actually outside near the parking lot.
Pubix??? LOL!
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