Walmart - an observation

My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.

I was reading another thread and a lot of people mentioned shopping at Walmart (for groceries) but made remarks about how they hate it. I find this amusing. I have a Super Walmart right down the street from my house. It is very convenient, especially when I need something RIGHT NOW! I shop there A LOT!! I have two kids and I buy everything from diapers to toilet paper there. However, I HATE shopping there. I try so hard to avoid Walmart by shopping at Target but they dont always have what I need. I mean, I actually get a headache when I think about having to go into that store but yet I find myself in there at least 2 - 3 times per week. So what is it, exactly, that we HATE about Walmart? For me, its the crowds, slow cashiers, long lines, but there is something else about it.... I cant put my finger on it... Is it the general demeanor of the employees and other shoppers in the store?? If we hate it so much, why do we keep going back? For me - convenience, prices on every day stuff (diapers, milk, etc). Is it the same for you?

Note **I am bored at work. Can you tell?***

I, too, hate shopping there. For all of the reasons you listed, and add to that, when I actually need help there's not an employee to be found ANYWHERE within a 15 aisle radius. Then, when I do find and employee, the response is usually, "That's not my department. Let me page 'so and so'." A) I don't care if it's your department or not, I worked in retail for the better part of fifteen years. That is NOT the correct response. If a customer asks for help, you HELP them. Just because you don't work in that department, it doesn't mean you can't help them...you just don't want to. Paging someone from "THAT" department doesn't help, because they just ignore the page anyway. I do, however, continue to shop there because they do have the lowest prices for most items, and I drive right by it on my way home, so it's convenient.

My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.

Love Meijer!! There is a book out about it too and their corporate structure that is interesting.

My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.

Love Meijer!! There is a book out about it too and their corporate structure that is interesting.

I worked in the advertising department for the Meijer corporate office in Grand Rapids for two years, and the company I work for now does all of their interior and exterior signing (yes, I am a bit biased about their decor, but darn it we do good work here!). One of the very interesting things about the company (at least this was true when I was there) is quite a few of the upper level corporate employees all started out as shelve stockers, cashiers or baggers. It is a company where you can truly work your way from the bottom up if you're motivated.

Also, I know from personal experience the extensive quality assurance they put their produce through. They even have a little instrument they use to measure the sugar level in the grapes they buy. They reject far more produce than they buy because of their standards. The Q&A offices were right across from mine, and we (the employees) would do blind taste tests all day long on various products for the Meijer brand vs. the national brand. If Meijer brand tested low, they'd work on it until it was just as good or sometimes better.