It’s in the news that Walmart has closed a bunch of Sam’s Club locations. Just for the record, I despise Walmart for many reasons, so don’t be surprised at the stance I’m taking with this most recent news.
A while ago, a regional Walmart closed down unexpectedly for “plumbing maintenance”. It was part of a series of closures as well. At the time, there was a massive conspiracy swirling around that the store was shut down to quell a union organizing. And, on schedule, the store reopened, with an all-new crew and no union considerations among them. Who’s to say what the real reason was? Maybe it was plumbing?
In both that case and this new case with Sam’s Club, the closures were done with no warning for either employees or customers. This is the part that really bothers me. It reminds me of a time when I was working for a pizza chain and there was a coordinated closing of a bunch of neighboring stores. The manager would show up in the morning and the district manager was already there to inform him the store was closing immediately. The other employees would find out eventually, whenever or however. It’s a shitty way to do business.
That Walmart is operating this way says a lot. However, I’m not sure if they are making a commentary on their customers, their employees, or both. In all cases, including my own near-closing experience, it’s all about a lack of trust. It’s a disdain for people and an assumption of the worst in people. The owners believe that if a closing date was scheduled, their assets would be at risk for theft or damage. So, to mitigate that possibility, they surprise everyone with the closure.
I say that this really bothers me, but I really do understand it. I can easily see an employee pocketing some merchandise, because, “Why not? I’m only here another week anyway. What will they do, fire me?” I can see an employee turning a blind eye to shoplifters, because “Why should I care?” Hell, I can see this happening at Walmarts that aren’t even closing. And that’s what makes me think differently.
Walmart has built an entire culture on worthlessness. All their products are cheap and disposable. They’ve created a culture of customers that think this same way. The customers have no pride for shopping there. The employees clearly aren’t trained to actually care about their store and take pride in their jobs. How can they when the chain has the reputation it does and the customers reinforce that belief every day?
Is it possible to create a culture where employees will be loyal to the end? Maybe if given a fair severance? Maybe if treated well during their entire career? Maybe if the corporation was respected? Maybe if the employees and customers took a little pride in their store.
Here’s a little factoid about me. Sometimes when I’m shopping somewhere, I’ll clean the place up. I’ll rehang a shirt from the floor or straighten a display. I’ll organize things (especially CDs) as best I can. I leave the place better than I found it. But, sometimes, I don’t. And in the cases I don’t, it’s a gut feeling that it’s of no use, that it would never be appreciated. And, in the extremely rare instance I’m in a Walmart, my only desire is to leave, not to try and make things better.
Because, when I’m in a store I enjoy, I want to be comfortable there. I want it to look nice. I want other customers to enjoy it as much as I do. Yes, that’s a role for the employees to fulfill, but there’s no reason there can’t be a family-type feeling in the place. And if I remove one source of disarray and the result makes another customer more cheerful at how non-disheveled the place is, then the store will succeed and I’ll get to keep coming there.
And I would hope, that on the day my favorite stores have to close, there is a nice structured ending. Kind of a farewell parade – a little bit sad, but dignified. And nothing like the shotgun finalities of any of Walmart’s closures.
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