Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW

During the course of posting, on this blog, I have read many articles depicting the retail employees.  Some  of these articles attempted to explain the culture, service and the economic standards of this workforce.  While other articles delved into the health issues that employees face while working these jobs.  But never did I find articles that described what it takes to work these jobs.  Although, however, there are plenty of articles written that give advice as to how these positions can better serve customers.

Retail/food service, is like any other job - one has to work it before you understand it.

If the public could ride in the back of a cruiser, walk the halls of a hospital, teach a student, trudge a battlefield, among other jobs, we would understand more of what it takes to work these jobs.  And although working in a grocery store does not begin to be as important as any of the jobs previously mentioned, it has, however, found a spot in public opinion.

'You want to make more money, get a better job.'  Now there's an opinion for ya!  Oh, how the public went up in arms when they thought there was a chance of having to pay more for a burger.

But, I am here to confess that 15 years ago I probably would have felt the same way.  Truly!  But, life can change within seconds and bring one to a point of either 'sink or swim'.  And how one handles this change will be their deciding factor.

The people that work these jobs are faced with the rising cost of living; food, home, medical.  And these jobs do not provide for the increase in living expenses and have remained stagnate causing some to take on financial assistance while working.  Or how about the people that work two part-time jobs.  And don't give me the speech about higher education.  During this recession I have been surprised at the amount of people I have met who hold degrees and are yet forced to work part-time jobs in retail in order to survive. 

When working these jobs, one is faced with the turbulence of fluctuating finances due to not knowing how many hours they will work from week to week.  There is the health factor when faced with irregular hours that they are expected to work. And hey, what about the cost of that health insurance?   And let us not forget the demands that they mentally face while working these jobs.  The bottom line is, no one has a right to point a finger at this work force.  You want to get in someone's face over the rising cost of a burger, then face off with these corporations who are in control of the financial well being of this public.  For it is they that make the conditions necessary in order to maintain their profits.

This job that I have maintained for about 13 years now, has humbled me to say the least.  No longer do I judge what I see or read about on the news and instead have more of an understanding of the work force and society.  Through the time, I have been lucky due to the love and assistance provided me by my family and the friends who helped me learn how to cope.

No, working in a grocery store has not been a waste for me.  It has helped me to see and understand and probably made me a much better person than I would have been had I not worked this job.

You see, understanding is the secret to making things better - while ignorance is what kills the opportunities.

Talk at ya later!

 

                              HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY


                      CINCIGAL GROCERY STORE CLERK

Celebrating the final Anniversary of Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - "IT'S ALL GOOD"

As would be expected, after working so many years at one store, we have been through quite a few store directors.  They came, they went and all they really left behind was whatever impression they had made on us.  Some were strong, some were weak, hellish and there is even one whose name is hard to recall and often referred to as 'the guy who wore Penny Loafers'. 

So they came, they left and we moved on.  Along the way we had a favorite and it definitely was sad when he departed.  And then, 'She' came.  Like a tornado she whipped into our store.  With an exuberant personality and all sorts of ideas, the game was on.  Immediately, there was a lot of head shaking, eyes rolling and I believe I even witnessed a department manager banging his head against the wall - a time or two.  But no matter, we were moving to the beat of a different drummer.

Like the Pied Piper she led us down the aisles.  Changing this, changing that - there were times when it was hard to keep up.  And during the changes, should you not agree, she would wave it off and always say the same thing, 'It's all good.'

Somewhere along the way, we just kind of came to accept her positive outlook, out-going approach and sometimes silly sayings.  We found that she was someone that we could count on for support when we would be overwhelmed, she was someone who would listen and was earnest in helping and never, did one have to worry when things got a little out of control - she would help to put things into perspective.  And, you could be yourself.  She is always there asking how we are doing and wanting to know if we need anything - we are never alone.

She is definitely the hardest working manager we have ever had, she never stops working.  And at the end of the day, she is truly just one of the crew, no title needed.

I read in an interview, once, with one of the corporate heads, that he didn't ask his employees to do anything that he, himself would not do.  Well take that as you may, but I am here to tell you that our store director may not say that but, she definitely exhibits that.

So as we begin to come to terms with bringing this store to an end, I thought it only fitting to shine the light on someone that we will truly miss.  Like her staff  she was dedicated, hard working, supplied teamwork when needed, felt compassion for those she worked with and took pride in whatever she did. 

And although she was silly, at times, she demonstrated to us all what Customer Service and Teamwork is all about.

So here's to you, Debra - Thank you, you will be missed!

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE DREAM

There is one thing that never seems to be discussed, in this line of work, and that is what we, the employees, really want to do with our lives.  Here you are, working in a grocery store where one minute you will be bagging someone's groceries and the next minute you could be down on the floor cleaning up someone's mess.  You spend the day answering countless questions, seeking out products, explaining policies, running to meet demands and just trying to get by.  It's a world where one never knows what to expect and yet, subconsciously, you are ready for anything.

It's a place where a kind word and a smile mean more than words can begin to express and yet, there are moments it seems like a prison and escape is impossible.  Although those doors keep opening and closing, you never get the opportunity to make a run for it until your shift is through.

But there is an alternative side to all of this that is not visible to the public; the dream.  While we run, stoop, carry, talk, assist, clean, direct and cajole we are dreaming.

In this building there are artists, musicians, photographers, writers and students.  Each of these employees has a dream and this job is a background for their future.

At this job they are able to express their future plans with their co-workers.  And when the days are too hectic and nothing seems to go right, it will be this job that will push them harder to succeed at what they want to achieve.

So the next time you are checking out at a grocery store, smile at that cashier.  They could one day be your next elected official.  And that clerk  that assisted you, show your appreciation.  You never know, you just might be talking to a future celebrity.  And always be nice when a clerk helps you with a problem.  One never knows when you might meet up again in the future - medically or legally speaking that is.

One thing is for sure, each of these employees that you pass, every time you shop, has a hidden agenda.  From the cashier that is pursuing a nursing career to the guy getting carts that can strum a guitar, they each have something in common - the dream.

Talk at ya later!   

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - SAYING GOODBYE TO THE FLOWER GIRL

I guess the first thing I have realized, during this time, is that you just cannot avoid nostalgia.  It can't be helped.  Just a normal part of saying, 'Goodbye'.  And today, I am saying, 'Goodbye' to the Flower Girl; a title I was given by customers.

It's only now that I can see how far I have come, what I have contributed and achieved.  And of course each achievement has a story behind it.

Quite a few years ago, an employee told me that customers were requesting single roses so I got busy and started figuring out how to fill this request.  Well, to order single roses from the wholesaler added more cost to the store and since customers preferred the color red, well this would not be practical since only a percentage of the roses, in a case, were red.  The remainder of the case of single roses would be pastel and pastel does not last as long as red, so that would provide for more shrink and less sales.  So, believe it or not, I remembered a TV series called, The Love Boat and many times single roses were presented to the characters.  The roses were in long clear, single boxes and I thought that that was just so cool.  So, I got with the supplier who found me the boxes and water tubes and the idea became a reality.  And once presented to the customers, the reality became a staple for the floral department.  I lost count as to how many cases we went through over the years but, it was enough that we ended up with a sign.

Back then, when we were the other company, employees were encouraged to think up ideas and well, we were never without ideas - some of them even worked.  This was my first real business idea and since it took off I was ready to try other things.  Making cut arrangements became the next significant idea.  I worked at it and over time, even I was proud of the accomplishment.  By doing this I was using my own stock which cut down on my shrink and cost and I found outlets that sold very nice containers at a fraction of the wholesalers cost giving way to a far better selection.  Gees, I was becoming a real business person.  Each step taken led to another.  From there we went to potted plants.  Since we were the only store in the area that sold 4" potted foliage at a low price, the shelves were being refilled on a regular basis.  It wasn't long before I figured out what to bring in and when. 

Holidays were hectic.  I would normally spend anywhere between 48 -54 hours during a holiday week but, everything sold; bouquets, cut arrangements etc..  And when the flowers came in, the
skids were stacked so high that I would have to get a step ladder to unload. 

Now I go through all of the Thank you notes, the cards of appreciation and the pictures customers brought me of the arrangements I made for them and I will take them home.  With the last single rose having been sold this weekend, I have now removed the stand and sign from the floor.  The only thing in the flower cooler now are bouquets, there are no more cut arrangements.

Kind of hard saying, Goodbye to the Flower Girl.  It was a fun, interesting, frustrating  time filled with hard work and long hours.  And even though it's a little sad, I am glad that I had the chance to do it.

And I figured out why these ideas were such a hit - it was the customers  All I ever did was watch and listen to them and they taught me everything I needed to know.

There's a lesson here.

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - MAKING OUR WAY

 Today the company, that I work for, has decided to close the doors of our store.   In a little more than two months we will, cease to exist.  The store will empty, the doors will close and everyone will head somewhere else. 

Although this has not really been a total shock it has, however, reminded us of how it all began.  So many of the employees, that are left, can recall the day this building opened as a grocery store - that was 20 years ago.  Each change, steps taken, employees and customers can be recalled.  And it is in these next two months that our memories will be sharpened with these thoughts.

Up in the Break-room there is a framed collage of pictures of employees taken throughout the years.  It is a reminder of happier, busier times.  Times that we never thought would come to an end. 

Now that we are heading in a different direction there will be plenty to discuss, quite a few memories to recall and for some a questionable future.  But even though there is change coming there is one thing that will not be changing during this time;

As always, as in the past, we will be there for each other.

Talk at ya later!

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - WHEN CHANGE VS REALITY

For so long now, we have been kind of  'hanging'.  No longer do I look for any one person or one particular change to come in and rescue us from the slump.  Although, it would be nice. 

There are new changes coming, we are told.  With technical support the aim will be to make shopping more convenient and more personal for the customers.  Hey, we are told, it has worked for other companies.  But anymore I am not so sure that anyone really puts any stock into these changes coming, for we have been down this road before.  There have been high hopes on many different changes in the past but, things never turned out as what was expected.  But, it is a new day and age and the changes made are considered progress that follows the paths of many other companies.

But the one thing that I have always noticed is that when changes are made no one ever gives any consideration to the problems that already exist.  There is no question as to what should we do but, more of what we will do.  We just seem to cover things up and keep going forward.  But the problems keep pulling us back, taking us further down.

When a company is not a well known, or a high profile, company then reputation is of the essence.  And that, more or less, is passed on by word of mouth - customers.  So, more so than the high profile companies, a smaller establishment has to work harder at how they represent themselves in order to get noticed.  They have to put more effort into what they do and how they appear to the consumers. 

Over time, I have been through quite a few managers but only two of them showed me what it takes to make sales.  Each, in their own way, knew how to project their department towards the customer.  And really, it was quite simple.  One of the managers was very precise in how his department appeared.  He knew it had to be detailed, organized and selective in what was presented to the customer.  And he was right - I see that now.

Customers look for quality, selection and prices in order to make their decision as to where to shop.  Sorry, but Customer Service is not at the head of the list.

The other factor that these two managers brought with them was teamwork.  Their staff was customer oriented and they took pride in how their department looked and they worked well together putting everyone on the same page - we had a purpose. 

Our managers kept us laughing and it kept up our spirits while we worked so hard to maintain a certain standard. 

But those managers are gone now, as is the original staff, and with them they took what was needed to succeed.  And it took no time at all to see how valuable they had been.

Not too long ago a friend of one of these managers was in the store and upon seeing me, he came over and we chatted.  I asked him how this particular manager was doing and he told me.  I told him how I missed this manager's expertise and definitely his jokes.  He responded by saying, "Oh, he doesn't joke anymore.

I said, "Mmm, that's okay we don't laugh anymore.'

Talk at ya later!