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Monday, May 28, 2012

Grocery Store Clerk - HELLO!!!!

Amidst the headlines of war and world violence is the caption, 'Americas Least Favorite Supermarkets.'  Are you serious?  Apparently, we Americans take our grocery shopping experiences very seriously.  So much, in fact, that it has become a contender for headline space in world news.  Now even though I find this to be comical (how many times can grocery stores be surveyed?) there is a serious underlining factor; the economy.  Because, loss of sales produces loss of jobs which ultimately gives way to communities suffering by loss of revenue, which produces more job layoffs, and lack of community services.  And don't forget bank foreclosures.  Who would've thought?  So when you look at it that way, I guess these companies play a big part in this economical merry-go-round.

For the last six months I have seen more and more articles on this subject popping up.  Each facet of the business is researched, surveyed and commented on.  But apparently these companies are not listening, because more articles continue to weigh in on the dissatisfaction of the everyday consumer. This most recent article, referenced ten grocery chains.  Fifty percent of the companies were originated in the Nineteenth Century while the remaining opened their doors between the years 1957 to 1962.  Now the complaints of the consumers are simple enough;' long lines, rude employees, unsanitary conditions along with prices and selection.'  Sounds like easy fixes to me, so what's the problem? 

As a consumer, myself, I find that all grocery stores seem to be alike.  Each company seems to mirror the other company;  what one does, they will all end up doing.  Customers are now card carriers, prices are more or less comparative and no one seems to have enough employees to help the customers anymore.   And, yet, with all of the business experience that these companies should have acquired, over the 100 plus years of being in business, they remain just carbon copies of each other.

So I got to thinking about what it would have been like opening a grocery store over a hundred years ago, well even fifty years ago for that matter.  The first thing, that popped into my mind, would have been pride.  A new business owner would have been proud and made sure that the customer was offered the best products; freshest produce.  Employees would have been respectful and worked hard for their meager wages.  And as time went on, they probably would have remained and grown with the business.  Each new store would have offered something special to their customers; cuts of meat, certain types of baked goods.  Whatever the specialty, it is that one thing which would have made the customers want to come back.  At that time the customers seemed to have been in charge.  It was their patronage that was a priority to a new, upcoming business.  Today, it is a little backward; companies dictate as to how the consumer will shop.

From what I can see, bigger is not better and wisdom (business) does not come with age;  consumers will continue to hunt for that grocery store haven while surveys and studies will continue to provide us, the consumer, with what we already know.  And will grocery stores ever change?  Probably not these companies, for there are new stores coming onto the scene that could turn out to be contenders for the consumer dollar. And it is with this change that old companies just might become a mere memory.

As an employee, of a grocery store, I see where we exhibit one thing that other grocery stores do not; our people.  Like the stores that opened over one hundred years ago, we seem to carry on the trend of trying to provide the customers with the best service, working hard for their patronage alas, making that our trademark.

After all, it's just a matter of pride.

Talk at ya later!


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Grocery Store Clerk - ROLE MODELS

In this line of business, transferring managers from store to store is a common practice.  Here today - gone tomorrow.  Some managers will remain, maybe, two years while others have been known to take flight in just a matter of months. And it will not be until a manager leaves the store that the employees will cast their vote as to thumbs up or thumbs down.  Most managers walk out the door with a heartfelt, 'We'll miss you.'  While only a few have departed without much notice.  Unless you consider a sigh of relief or the expression,  'about damn time,' as  a heartfelt send off.  Either way, the one thing all managers have in common is that they will all be talked about - forever. 

Even today, I hear employees talking about managers that haven't been in the building for over ten years. Various topics are brought up when reminiscing about managers.  There are those that made us laugh, were kind and accepting, treated staff with respect and were just basically real nice guys.  Yeah, that's right, they have all been guys.  But the one thing that they all had in common was that they were workers.  They worked hard for their store and right along side of their employees.   Along with other attributes, such as being dependable and gracious, they set a fine example for us to follow.  Now I am sure there are reasons as to why companies do this.  Reasons, for which, mere employees are not privileged to.  But,  I have noticed that each time this great migration takes place, things have a tendency to change.

The changes sometimes have an affect on the employees.  Where once they were up beat, I have witnessed them hit rock bottom.  Then there are times when the store would have an almost perfect crew only to be let down when management changed.    And, even the customers have been known to cast their votes from time to time.  But no matter what, we always keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

So now, we are about to go through it again.  This week we learned that our Assistant Store Manager will be leaving and going to another store.  I guess he has been with us for about one year and during that time he has made some accomplishments - us.  He came in quiet and kind of under the radar, but he demonstrated more then I would have thought.  Along with the ability to get along with us, he worked with us and was always there to answer our questions and in some cases, listen to our griefs.  He managed to make us feel comfortable and could even get a laugh out of us, from time to time .  But more important, he provided us with a good role model.  And many of us are glad that we had the opportunity to work with him.

From what I can tell, respect is one of the most important things that a manager can hope to achieve.  Unlike margins and sales, that change constantly, it is the respect that remains with us.  Because if a manager can accomplish this, then it reflects in their employees and the services they provide.

So Jim, 'revoir vous allez nous manguer'
Goodbye we will miss you

Talk at ya later!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Grocery Store Clerk - TO BE MISSED

Most generally when an employee is no longer around, they become missed.   It makes no difference if they have left for another job or transferred to another store, if they were liked then they are missed.  And when you stop to think about it, it is like bestowing an honor;  to have a group of people that think that much of you.  Because if we are lucky enough to be liked that much then it means that we are respected  and our friendship is revered.  Next to love, what more can we ask for out of life?

So goes it for one of our employees.  This young woman was faced with a family emergency which left her, and her family, in dire straights both financially and medically.  The stress must have been unbearable at times, not knowing what the future would bring.  And to have three young children to care for as well, would have pushed a lot of us over the top.  But, she hung in there and five months later has returned to work.

There were hugs and smiles all around when she walked back into the building.  People clamored to see her, and she them.  As she approached each employee, she thanked them for their support during those months and said, that she didn't know what she would have done without them.  She acted like these employees had been her salvation.  There were employees who bought necessities for the children, groceries, gave financially and some, that had the knowledge, helped her through the process of getting needed assistance.

Now that this employee has returned, she will find out just how much she has been missed.  There will be many customers who will be glad to see her, because they have never stopped asking about her.  As for her future, should she need an ear, or  a shoulder, there will be plenty  to go around.  And if she needs any direction, well that will be available too.

These things that just happen in our lives, make us stronger - or, so I have heard said.  If this is true, I do not know.  But the one thing that I have noticed is that when people go through these hardships, it makes them more understanding.  It gives us incite and most generally, I find that, these are the very people who turn around and help others through their times of need. 

So, as our employee has found out, she is much liked and was very much missed.  Her co-workers demonstrated  how much they thought of her and through their respect for her, they helped her through a tough time.

When I was in school, being liked that much meant that you were 'popular'.  Now that I am an adult, I realize that it is a gift.

Talk at ya later!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Grocery Store Clerk - THE MEMORY OF MOTHER'S DAY

Throughout our lives, we are constantly reminded that it is family that is the most important part of us.  Nothing else is more important than that of family and, from what I can see, most people believe this.  And it is during the holiday seasons when this feeling of family is most apparent.  There is the planning and shopping for those special delights for the holiday menu along with the anticipation of the gathering of family.  And when everything is done, a celebration takes place.  A celebration of family.

But the celebration of family is not just for those holiday seasons, however, it also gives way to those special days that we like to set aside to commemorate parents, grandparents and veterans.  And anyone else we might feel deserving of getting noticed.  Although it may seem hard to imagine, working in a grocery store gives one a lot of incite as to how these special moments come together.

This weekend, everyone celebrated Mother's Day. Be it shopping for family cookouts, potted flowers from the Garden Center, sweet treats from the Bakery or cut flowers from the Floral Department, everyone was out shopping to create a special day of celebration.  One by one, dads would come to the store with the kids and together they would look over all of the special treats made available.  But, they weren't just shopping, instead they were creating a memory.

"What do you think mom would like?" would be dad's question of the day, as they peered over the floral coolers filled with cut flowers of all colors.  And if that were not enough, then there were all of the cut arrangements in vases and baskets, each with shinny ribbons, accentuated with greenery and baby's breath.
 
"I want that one." the little girl would respond, as she took her little finger and pointed to the big arrangement filled with roses and tulips.

"Okay."  said dad.

"I want to get one, too." said the little guy standing on his tip toes as though trying to get a better look.

"Guys, don't you think that we have enough for mom?" dad would plead.

"No, I want to get one too!" would come the response.

"Okay, pick one that you like." dad would say, knowing that he was clearly out voted.

Taking a couple minutes, the little guy would look over each of the bouquets and potted flowers until he was sure that he had found the perfect gift for mom.  And with his choice, finally decided, he would point.  Dad would collect the chosen prize and with arms full of flowers, together they would all make their way to the checkout lanes.  Now while this is going on, it is always amusing to watch the guys as they line up in the greeting card aisle.  There the masses stand reviewing card after card in order to find that one certain card which will provide the message that will relate the feelings they wish to express to the ladies in their lives.

But then there is the other side of this holiday, remembering those that are not with their families anymore.  Not far from the Floral Department is a display of plastic wreathes and flowers for  the cemetery.  The customers looking over this selection do not talk, they just look and then choose a piece.  These are the people that will, not only celebrate this day, but will also have to remember those that they cannot share the day with anymore.  For them, it is a day of sadness.  You learn a lot about human nature in this store.  And the one thing that you learn, is that we all share the same feelings down deep.  Be it joy or sadness we all feel the same on these special days.

In watching the customers I find that it is not the gift so much as it is the process of choosing the gift.   And it is definitely not the sale of the item, but, instead, it is what the item represents.

So, like the little guy who picks out the special flower to give mom - so did we, once upon a time.  For there was one moment in our lives, when we held out that chosen gift to a special lady and in return we received that special smile and hug.  And for that one moment time stood still and a memory was made. 

A memory that would last a life time.















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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Grocery Store Clerk - THE COMPANY ASSETS

It was Monday, and what happens on Monday?  The new sales for the week come out on Monday.  Now for the cashiers  this usually means that not all of the sale items are in the system at the correct price, one has to be able to interpret the  fine print of the ad for the customer and the cashier has to make sure that the customer has the correct quantity of the sale item in order for the sale price to kick in.  And , oh yes, swipe the card in order to get those sale prices.  Whew!  Grocery shopping has become more of a financial transaction then just a weekly chore of shopping.

And with each new week, each department will have specials and this week, for the Produce Department, it is strawberries.  Now each department stocks the sale items and restocks and restocks.  But when it comes to the perishable departments, well sometimes it is not work as usual.  This week the sale item came in and not of the best quality.  And thanks to one of the Produce guys, he caught it before stocking the floor.  Diligently going through pint after pint, case after case, he removed the bad product and condensed all of the good product and refilled the pints.  Now this labor takes time.  It not only will make for less complaints but it definitely provides better product for the customer and in return looks good for the store. 

Now my question is, do all employees do this at all grocery stores?  Well, not what I have seen.  Which I have always found surprising, because this is one of the things that provides a grocery store their reputation.  And in my mind, this clerk not only took the time to provide this service, he also demonstrated how much he cared.  Let alone the fact that he had so much more stocking to do and, since hours have been cut, he had far less time to accommodate his department.  After all, he was the only one working in that department.  But, it was also surprising that while he was doing this tedious job there were countless managers that would pass by, and giving a look his way, none stopped to ask him what he was doing.  They all just kept walking.  

His efforts were providing a service to the store.  Some might use that old cliche, and say, "Well you get what you pay for."  But this employee, was giving the customers the best product for this sale price.  Perhaps its pride or just good common sense.  No matter what the case, he definitely proved his worth for this company.  Dedicated employees are a company's biggest asset.

So, here's to the produce guy!  Even though his actions went unnoticed, there are many appreciative customers out there.

Talk at ya later!

Grocery Store Clerk - AN INSPIRATION

When a customer looks at an employee, it is most generally to ask them a question or to give them a complaint.  But around our store, there are a lot of customers that look at the employees in a whole different light - friend.  Our employees are outgoing people.  They don't think twice about offering to help someone, they converse and laugh with the customers and there have been plenty of times when I have heard advice being shared.  This is just the way it is around here.  So, what I witnessed last night did not surprise me in the least.

I had a customer come into the store and approach me about a young boy in the parking lot who was asking people for money.  She did, 'not appreciate', this.  I assured her that I would take care of it and in the meantime, apologized for the incident.  Why?  I guess it is just a habit.  No matter what it is, if a customer is disgruntled about something, I just automatically apologise; even though I have nothing to do with the matter.  But, be that as it may, I made my way outside and politely informed the lad that he could not approach the customers for money.  His response was, "Okay."  I went back into the store and continued stocking produce.  Later, I discovered that my request had been ignored and that this young man had continued with his attempts of collecting funds from the customers.

It was around this time, that one of our employees went outside for a break.  By now the weather had changed and it had begun to rain - hard.  The employee took a seat on the bench and, in noticing the young man approaching the customers, informed the boy that he could not do this.  With that, a conversation ensued between the two; 

"Man, you can't be doing that here."  said the employee  The lad went and sat down on the bench next to the employee.
"Do you have to walk home?" he asked.
"Yeah." was the response.

With that statement, the employee went back into the store where he purchased a rain poncho.  Returning outside, he gave the poncho to our young entrepreneur.

Working in this profession, gives way to days that seem endless; nothing goes right, the complaints are abundant and the demands are constant.   What is even more burdensome, is that you most generally have nothing to do with any of it.  But you take it on the chin and move on.  During these days, I most generally think about where I could work and not have this overload and how much better it might be.  But, then I look around me and realise just one thing - I would never find a job that would offer me, the type of people that I work with.  I find that I not only like them, but in so many ways I am proud of them.  Often, they are an inspiration to us all.

Talk at ya later!