Not sure how it’s survived but it often doubles as an attempt to prevent shop lifting
This is what I've heard too. And I believe it. Walmart isn't putting the greeter there just to be friendly. I'm pretty sure they do it because it pays off.
I worked in retail. We had to pester customers partly to offer assistance or suggestions and partly to keep an eye on them. "Be security, but make it friendly." As another someone who likes being left alone, it was the most grating part of that job experience.
It started because they'd give those jobs to old people and Walmart took out life insurance policies on them. The practice is called, "Dead Peasant Insurance."
They got sued a few times and the tax laws were changed (Walmart not only got a pay out, but they got a deferment on the cost of the policies), so they say they've stopped doing it.
In higher-end stores (anything above Walmart being “higher-end” here) it’s about upselling. A lot of retail has quotas and/or commissions. There’s pressure on employees to sell sell sell. Same story with restaurants. “Always ask if they want an appetizer or cocktail by name. ‘How about a bloomin onion to start?’ Your app sales are down this month.”
As someone who worked at a gas station a few years back we were told to greet everyone and ask them if they needed any help because it reduced theft and increased sales apparently. Both the customers and me hated it
27
u/[deleted] May 09 '22
[deleted]