Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by MiddleEndian on Friday June 04, 2021 @10:48PM (#27401599)

>They've obviously carefully tuned their check out staffing so that the lines are always long. This is such a constant that it has to be intentional, and they're doing a good job of it.

Macy's has a similarly annoying policy. They deliberately keeping their cash registers unmanned, which they apparently tell their employees is to "avoid intimidating customers" so you have to stand around waiting or seek out an employee manually. I thought my local Macy's was simply understaffed, but since learning they do it on purpose I've decided never to go there again.

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Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by leesalminen on Friday June 04, 2021 @10:54PM (#27401653)

Once, as a child, I grabbed the phone behind the counter, hit the PA button, and requested a cashier at our section. It worked! Probably wouldn’t go over so well as an adult, though.

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Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by grogenaut on Saturday June 05, 2021 @03:13AM (#27402925)

I've done this as an adult. They got mad but I just ignored it and said "are you going to check me out" and they did.

Tangentially related. In college or football team would go to old country buffet. Which has a microphone in the wall to order more from the kitchen for the staff. One of our smart ass players went up and said "we need more fried chicken". The manager caught him and scolded him. Then looked at the buffet and said "make that two orders of fried chicken" in the mic.

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Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by MiddleEndian on Friday June 04, 2021 @11:43PM (#27401945)

Honestly if I'm ever dragged there by someone else I'll try it and report back.

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Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by Scoundreller on Friday June 04, 2021 @11:12PM (#27401759)

I think that’s their public justification. The reality is there’s a camera pointed at each one and a couple of pool cashiers that run to any as needed.

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Re:Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats by MiddleEndian on Friday June 04, 2021 @11:19PM (#27401806)

I'm sure it's a lie too. They probably found they could save money by understaffing their store and/or customers would buy more stuff if they have to wait around more. I'm sure it works on one scale, but on the other hand they seem to be confused about why they are losing customers to online shopping or other stores. I'm sure I'm not the only person to stop using them.

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