The single biggest problem in retail is what is taught in business school - labor is your biggest controllable expense. This combined with the common retail structure of store employee, assistant manager, manager, area manager, regional manager, etc, with the top two or sometimes 3 layers getting MASSIVE bonuses based upon how low they can drive payroll. I’ve seen it in play repeatedly. The company that falls into this trap is headed into oblivion. Maybe those bonuses shouldn’t be calculated upon having no workers? Maybe the bonuses shouldn’t be so large? And shouldn’t be concentrated in just a few hands? Almost the entire industry is serving the wrong goals, and honestly, I cheer every time one of them fails.
The shop lifting resolution is locking everything up. Why not look to the top! You’re probably paying too much for the top guy (or guys). If their pay is based on % of profits, they really don’t care.
And, in my personal experience the stores selling the high end cosmetics and clothing (where the well heeled folks shop) are the places getting hit the most by shoplifters. Those who have money, but never earned it, like the price of "stolen" the best.
Former retail worker here. Let's face it how many females get stuck into hard goods and grocery when first starting out? ALL of us.
Any lowly employee could tell the "owners" if you have enough (bottom of the payroll) folks to provide "personal service" to customers, your shop lifting decreases big time. DUH....
Shrink due to employee theft and managerial mismanagement accounts for way more than ‘external theft’ but retailers don’t want the public or, more importantly, stockholders to focus on what’s really going on behind the curtain.
Whenever I see items locked behind glass in my neighborhood stores I walk right out. It’s so disrespectful.
Idiots
Finally.
I went for men’s socks at Walmart, and they were locked up! Took forever to find someone to help. Who are these people?
The single biggest problem in retail is what is taught in business school - labor is your biggest controllable expense. This combined with the common retail structure of store employee, assistant manager, manager, area manager, regional manager, etc, with the top two or sometimes 3 layers getting MASSIVE bonuses based upon how low they can drive payroll. I’ve seen it in play repeatedly. The company that falls into this trap is headed into oblivion. Maybe those bonuses shouldn’t be calculated upon having no workers? Maybe the bonuses shouldn’t be so large? And shouldn’t be concentrated in just a few hands? Almost the entire industry is serving the wrong goals, and honestly, I cheer every time one of them fails.
I once worked at Walgreens. Management is terrible.
The shop lifting resolution is locking everything up. Why not look to the top! You’re probably paying too much for the top guy (or guys). If their pay is based on % of profits, they really don’t care.
Great post! Lack of employees is a big deal for consumers. Lots of food for thought in your post. Thank you.
lol. “Will you help me get my deodorant?”
And, in my personal experience the stores selling the high end cosmetics and clothing (where the well heeled folks shop) are the places getting hit the most by shoplifters. Those who have money, but never earned it, like the price of "stolen" the best.
Former retail worker here. Let's face it how many females get stuck into hard goods and grocery when first starting out? ALL of us.
Any lowly employee could tell the "owners" if you have enough (bottom of the payroll) folks to provide "personal service" to customers, your shop lifting decreases big time. DUH....
It's very true. I know I dont.
Duh!!!!!
Shopping at Walgreens is depressing.
Ya need drugs for depression to shop there.
Shrink due to employee theft and managerial mismanagement accounts for way more than ‘external theft’ but retailers don’t want the public or, more importantly, stockholders to focus on what’s really going on behind the curtain.
https://www.extendaretail.com/resource/spotlight-on-retail-shrinkage/#:~:text=%232%20Cause%20of%20Shrinkage%3A%20Employee,inside%20and%20outside%20your%20business.
Because guess who doesn’t have time to ask an employee to unlock something and then you have to wait for them to find the associate with the key.