MEGATHREAD 2018-2019 Store Modernization Megathread

[OPINION] How do you feel about these changes?

  • I like them.

  • I dislike them.


Results are only viewable after voting.
Dear Target, A guest should not have to apologize to me because they are in my way because I am trying to push product. I was trying to push in the hair care aisle with five guests. I pulled my Uboat to the side to try to get out of the way and they felt bad for me.

Yes!! I was doing labels today and had several guests say sorry!! I always say... oh no, I'm in your way!!...and move away with a smile.
 
I was told by our new STL that price change was going to take over Softlines again because it's failing to keep up. (and was told it's failing in like 90% of the company) We are going to train them again for a lot longer now. Great, but they are already trained. It's just that they never schedule people, they pull them from PC to push, zone, cover operator, they never finish one department fully, etc... It's their leadership that's not getting it. Oh well, I'm happy to be doing it again, it's been driving me crazy that they are so behind.
 
Can we vote to abolish end to end? Maybe lead a coup to overthrow the idiots at HQ?
And the new unload process too. I'm told from a TM who's seen it work better in a couple of other stores' back rooms that they have much more space. We have more space in other areas where unload doesn't happen, but we're so cramped on the line.
 
Want to give some thoughts on this, since I overheard our ETL & STL giving great feedback to the DTL visiting on how the store is doing.

Took on the role of becoming a DBO (Designated Business Owner) for an area in Hardlines. (Don't want to say where for anonymity reasons)

Let's see. With my responsibilities of being a DBO.

- Daily truck push. (Almost everyday, and there was a day when truck was unloaded in the early afternoon hours)
- CAFs
- Backstock push, and maneuvering the backroom can be a chore in itself.
- Revisions/Plano
- Salesplanners that have fallen behind due to Truck/CAF push.
- Reshop/Zone properly (because some Hardline TMs don't give a crap)
- Signing/labeling.
- Know sales #'s for area. What can be improved in your area to drive sales. (Daily, weekly, Month to month, and Year to date)

- But, guests first! And since my area is next to Electronics, guest interaction is always the case, everyday.

It's great that yeah, more hours and it's on the dayside, but it's frustrating that where one part struggles (like not finishing unloading truck in time), that piles on me to hurry and push truck, so the line can be clear, and maneuver without colliding to the numerous pallets laying about in the backroom, and Backstock among my other duties. The TM who showed me how to Backstock even mentioned, "it's supposed to be neat and organized by section of your aisle on the floor, but... yeah." Seeing a small Waco stuffed to the brim of various product, yep, I knew what she was talking about.

I want to say that this new process is working, but in reality, here it's anything but.


Modernization/E2E blows.
 
My thoughts you ask ? Be carful what you wish for.

First thought: It would have been easier for you if specific steps on how to succeed were given to you.

Second thought: Since this process is still a work in progress, maybe you are being challenged to provide the ideas on how to succeed to others. You were probably offered the position because you are a responsible adult that doesn’t need to be spoon fed each step that is required. Rather that put the process down, how about making it work and sharing your success story with others ?

The way I see the change: We are used to chopping up the tasks needed to run the business into many steps that separate specialty teams completed.
Kind of like an assembly line: you put the tires on every car, every day. No one can ask you about the windows cause all you know are tires.
Old way: flow did push, backroom did storage, presentation did pogs, Instocks filled holes, pricing did price change, salesfloor did reshop....etc.
This led to little accountability and lots of finger pointing. ‘’It’s the (fill in the blank) teams fault that my job is harder cause THEY didn’t do it right.’’
Flow had trouble pushing if presentation didn’t set correctly, backroom got lots of back stock if flow didn’t push correctly, pricing couldn’t ticket everything if salesfloor left too much reshop undone.....etc. This STOPS if you do every step yourself. You WILL set correctly cause it makes your push tomorrow easier, you WILL push what goes out cause pushing is easier than back stocking, you will zone well because it makes completing the price changes so much easier...etc.
The greatest benefit: you know about more than just the tires. You are more valuable to the guest cause you can answer more than one question. You know what is new, what is in the ad, what is in the backroom, what just went on clearance, what is transitioning next, what is selling well, what is dying in the shelf......get it?
You are much more capable to assist the guest in a purchase.

The reason I see: Because the turn around for delivery has considerably shrunk, within an hour for groceries to next day for most items, the disadvantage to ordering online is now gone. Therefore, brick & mortar retail needs to give the consumer a REASON to make a trip to the store. What is the difference in a coffee maker purchased in a store vs. online ? The appliance is the same, the difference is YOU the employee. If I didn’t need you to assist me with my purchase I would simply order it online. In this new modern model I know there will be an expert in the store to help me, something that is a step above what I get online. Also rising your store above the others, because the others have employees that do one thing, your store has experts that know how to do all things.

Also, as an employee you are more valuable because you can help with anything that is needed because you know how to do everything.

So BE that person. Forget the past and Be the creator of your future. Strive for success.

My suggestion: consistent routines. Formulate a schedule of routines that will allow you to get each task completed as needed.

Sheesh, i’m Doomed, my blood is target red. I just can’t stop myself from working off the clock. I should probably get a life....maybe write a book...Oops, done that.
 
Oh no. Still thinking.....
Words like : engaged, invested, ownership, responsible for, all describe a better employee. No business needs an employee that doesn’t care. The more you know, see, get involved, care, the better things will get done and help the business be successful. A goal helps you strive for improvement. knowing your sales and striving to improve them is the goal that drives you to do what is required to reach that goal: merchandise on the floor, not the backroom, signed well, up to date displays etc. all the things required to reach that goal of improving your sales numbers. The only other thing that motivates people is COMPETITION. Wonder how that will be added to the process ?
 
First thought: It would have been easier for you if specific steps on how to succeed were given to you.

Also, as an employee you are more valuable because you can help with anything that is needed because you know how to do everything.

Yes, BUT! ASANTS!!! If you are implying that you learn everything that you can to make your area sucessful then yes I agree BUT, unless you are scheduled more than 8 hours in day and have a specialized team in place to do all you mentioned, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

It will happen eventually but it is always going to be a work in progress no matter how you disect it. It will work but it will take time, payroll and the right people in place to make it happen. IMO
 
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Daily truck push. (Almost everyday, and there was a day when truck was unloaded in the early afternoon hours)
- CAFs
- Backstock push, and maneuvering the backroom can be a chore in itself.
- Revisions/Plano
- Salesplanners that have fallen behind due to Truck/CAF push.
- Reshop/Zone properly (because some Hardline TMs don't give a crap)
- Signing/labeling.
- Know sales #'s for area. What can be improved in your area to drive sales. (Daily, weekly, Month to month, and Year to date)

- But, guests first! And since my area is next to Electronics, guest interaction is always the case, everyday.

That's an awful lot of responsibility and work for $12 an hour. TOO. MUCH.
 
My thoughts you ask ? Be carful what you wish for.

First thought: It would have been easier for you if specific steps on how to succeed were given to you.

Second thought: Since this process is still a work in progress, maybe you are being challenged to provide the ideas on how to succeed to others. You were probably offered the position because you are a responsible adult that doesn’t need to be spoon fed each step that is required. Rather that put the process down, how about making it work and sharing your success story with others ?

The way I see the change: We are used to chopping up the tasks needed to run the business into many steps that separate specialty teams completed.
Kind of like an assembly line: you put the tires on every car, every day. No one can ask you about the windows cause all you know are tires.
Old way: flow did push, backroom did storage, presentation did pogs, Instocks filled holes, pricing did price change, salesfloor did reshop....etc.
This led to little accountability and lots of finger pointing. ‘’It’s the (fill in the blank) teams fault that my job is harder cause THEY didn’t do it right.’’
Flow had trouble pushing if presentation didn’t set correctly, backroom got lots of back stock if flow didn’t push correctly, pricing couldn’t ticket everything if salesfloor left too much reshop undone.....etc. This STOPS if you do every step yourself. You WILL set correctly cause it makes your push tomorrow easier, you WILL push what goes out cause pushing is easier than back stocking, you will zone well because it makes completing the price changes so much easier...etc.
The greatest benefit: you know about more than just the tires. You are more valuable to the guest cause you can answer more than one question. You know what is new, what is in the ad, what is in the backroom, what just went on clearance, what is transitioning next, what is selling well, what is dying in the shelf......get it?
You are much more capable to assist the guest in a purchase.

The reason I see: Because the turn around for delivery has considerably shrunk, within an hour for groceries to next day for most items, the disadvantage to ordering online is now gone. Therefore, brick & mortar retail needs to give the consumer a REASON to make a trip to the store. What is the difference in a coffee maker purchased in a store vs. online ? The appliance is the same, the difference is YOU the employee. If I didn’t need you to assist me with my purchase I would simply order it online. In this new modern model I know there will be an expert in the store to help me, something that is a step above what I get online. Also rising your store above the others, because the others have employees that do one thing, your store has experts that know how to do all things.

Also, as an employee you are more valuable because you can help with anything that is needed because you know how to do everything.

So BE that person. Forget the past and Be the creator of your future. Strive for success.

My suggestion: consistent routines. Formulate a schedule of routines that will allow you to get each task completed as needed.

Sheesh, i’m Doomed, my blood is target red. I just can’t stop myself from working off the clock. I should probably get a life....maybe write a book...Oops, done that.
Some people are better at one skill(backstock, setting, price change) than the other. There are some people who can excel at all these skills. This model will only work with a high performing team with unlimited payroll. $12 an hour is not going to bring them in. Keep drinking the kool aid.
 
A lifetime of wearing rose colored glasses, yes.
I always believe anything can be done. Jurassic park:”Nature will find a way.”
I understand that individuals have strengths. I also believe that each department will have more than 1 team member working it. This is where the planning comes in. A fast pusher can work in the morning, a setter/pricer could work in the afternoon, a good zoner can work at night. They may all dabble in each task but those that are better at one thing can do the bulk of that task. Teams are simply broken up and redistributed. O.k. I’m getting thirsty ;)
Some people are better at one skill(backstock, setting, price change) than the other. There are some people who can excel at all these skills. This model will only work with a high performing team with unlimited payroll. $12 an hour is not going to bring them in. Keep drinking the kool aid.
 
That's an awful lot of responsibility and work for $12 an hour. TOO. MUCH.

Agreed. For now, I'm gonna go along for the ride, and hope I don't crash.

The more I think of it, this all reminds me of when spot had the specialist position years back. I first started when they decided to phase them out. And even then, they had a pay increase to go along with it.
 
When I had my own assigned area was really killing it everything was done before my shift was even over they gave me to much hours. Eventually my leaders just put me in backroom then fulfillment all day now. I don’t even like it having an area is better grocery is my favorite dry or frozen.
 
When I had my own assigned area was really killing it everything was done before my shift was even over they gave me to much hours. Eventually my leaders just put me in backroom then fulfillment all day now. I don’t even like it having an area is better grocery is my favorite dry or frozen.
I wondered if you used a sarcasm font and then I read you like frozen, haha, you had me for a minute there.
 
Our trucks are so large that working freight is the only thing that team members do. And it's still not done at the end of their shift. So when exactly are they suppose to set POGs, Price Change, etc. The only reason our POGs are getting done is because there is still a specialty team doing them. Same for Price Change. Modernization may work on paper but doesn't work in the real world.
 
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