Any retail store front should always practice customer service. My experience gets ruined when I'm walking around the store looking for help or employees avoid me because they don't want to be bothered. I also don't see an influx of high school students working these jobs. Summer is usually the hotspot when it comes to teens getting their first job. That alone changes the perception of wanting to work vs having to work. I'm seeing more adults my age doing these jobs and they should be promoted. The upkeep of a store also ruins the experience I've walked in a few grocery stores where employees where stocking the shelves with boxes everywhere. With more places having self check out the customer service gets lost because inventory is short. Different times of the day is an indicator on how many employees need to be on the floor.
Often when employees don't want to be bothered, they're doing the work of three people. Sometimes grocery stores have to stock shelves when they're open because they just received their truck or because they sell items so quickly they need to restock all day. Self checkout is a beast of a topic - it makes sense in some places but not all.
Corporations are cutting their payroll back on a massive scale which is why there aren't enough people on the floor.
I once told my boss, "Our customer service sucks, and I'm telling my customers to call you." Because they wouldn't give us enough payroll to put associates on the floor.
I've witnessed elderly people being ignored all of the time. Since employees are doing three people's jobs we shouldn't ask for help. It's going to take someone tripping, falling, or breaking a bone to change the logistic drop-offs. Rush hour times I'm sure can be a loss during self check out. Some stores don't think about the flow of traffic when they place self-check registers. Just like any system, it's broken. I honestly thought it would get better with online shopping.
You’re not wrong. The stores should be more careful, for sure. It’s unfortunate that corporate continues to pile more & more on the frontline while taking away their support. We’re at an inflection point & they need to make the in store experience better immediately.
I don't know where to start... I feel for those poor employees in these uncertain times, I also understand those who want to change careers but don't know where to start. My only recommendation is not to "run away from" but to "move towards this dream." There's always another option for anybody. You're doing a wonderful job, Kit
That's what motivated me to write the first posts in my newsletter before I rebranded it, back when it was "the great resignation times."
I wanted to give a fast-course to those who quit their jobs because they hated the conditions, but didn't have a B plan. I guess I did because I was a "great resignator" myself in my twenties, and I would have loved to have someone giving me those tips.
There's always a perfect job for everybody, we just need to be wise controlling our emotions so we don't shoot ourselves in the foot. Having a plan, as you did, is paramount, and the difference between failure and success
Kit, I really enjoy reading this because you offer a unique perspective on where things are headed both economically and culturally.....I like your sharing your email posts cause they bring info that is as close as it gets to what is really going on!
Thank you so much. All of what you said is really what I aim to do - so - I'm so glad it's landing that way. Thank you for reading & sharing. You're a legend.
Any retail store front should always practice customer service. My experience gets ruined when I'm walking around the store looking for help or employees avoid me because they don't want to be bothered. I also don't see an influx of high school students working these jobs. Summer is usually the hotspot when it comes to teens getting their first job. That alone changes the perception of wanting to work vs having to work. I'm seeing more adults my age doing these jobs and they should be promoted. The upkeep of a store also ruins the experience I've walked in a few grocery stores where employees where stocking the shelves with boxes everywhere. With more places having self check out the customer service gets lost because inventory is short. Different times of the day is an indicator on how many employees need to be on the floor.
Often when employees don't want to be bothered, they're doing the work of three people. Sometimes grocery stores have to stock shelves when they're open because they just received their truck or because they sell items so quickly they need to restock all day. Self checkout is a beast of a topic - it makes sense in some places but not all.
Corporations are cutting their payroll back on a massive scale which is why there aren't enough people on the floor.
I once told my boss, "Our customer service sucks, and I'm telling my customers to call you." Because they wouldn't give us enough payroll to put associates on the floor.
I've witnessed elderly people being ignored all of the time. Since employees are doing three people's jobs we shouldn't ask for help. It's going to take someone tripping, falling, or breaking a bone to change the logistic drop-offs. Rush hour times I'm sure can be a loss during self check out. Some stores don't think about the flow of traffic when they place self-check registers. Just like any system, it's broken. I honestly thought it would get better with online shopping.
You’re not wrong. The stores should be more careful, for sure. It’s unfortunate that corporate continues to pile more & more on the frontline while taking away their support. We’re at an inflection point & they need to make the in store experience better immediately.
Great overview of what's going on overall and also for individuals in retail. You are both realistic and supportive.
I don't know where to start... I feel for those poor employees in these uncertain times, I also understand those who want to change careers but don't know where to start. My only recommendation is not to "run away from" but to "move towards this dream." There's always another option for anybody. You're doing a wonderful job, Kit
Thank you, Carmen. I love what you say about shifting that mindset from "running away" to "moving towards the dream." That's big.
That's what motivated me to write the first posts in my newsletter before I rebranded it, back when it was "the great resignation times."
I wanted to give a fast-course to those who quit their jobs because they hated the conditions, but didn't have a B plan. I guess I did because I was a "great resignator" myself in my twenties, and I would have loved to have someone giving me those tips.
There's always a perfect job for everybody, we just need to be wise controlling our emotions so we don't shoot ourselves in the foot. Having a plan, as you did, is paramount, and the difference between failure and success
Kit, I really enjoy reading this because you offer a unique perspective on where things are headed both economically and culturally.....I like your sharing your email posts cause they bring info that is as close as it gets to what is really going on!
Thank you so much. All of what you said is really what I aim to do - so - I'm so glad it's landing that way. Thank you for reading & sharing. You're a legend.