When I was hired and eventually trained through the workshops or whatever they call them now, they kept dragging Walmart for just about everything.
As someone who worked at a Walmart before coming to Kroger I thought it was just some weird propaganda thing they did, because when trained at Wally nothing like that ever happened.
Anyway, cut to now and I feel like our store and especially front end is a mess (cashier here) and I thought it was worse here.
I recently went shopping at Walmart and omg the difference in everything was so bizarre. Everything but the canned food was in stock. Everything in the shelves were either misplaced or empty. The produce was by far the worst, mostly empty and if it was in stock it was not looking very fresh.
And the front end was a mess as well. No greeting, no simple exchange. Nothing. Just scanned and told me the total.
And as a worker on the front end its so weird, especially as much as I hate it, our manager always pushes us to greet and make customers feel welcome. (even telling us if its your worst enemy, you say hello and smile,) to tell them about surveys, etc etc.
At the end of my shopping experience I was glad I worked at a Kroger because it just looked like wayyy less hassle. This post doesn't go anywhere just wanted to talk about my exp. Thanks for reading, love u all.
I understand where you are coming from. I work at Kroger, but shop at both Walmart and Kroger.
I would suggest you try going back to a Walmart (or two, or three in your area, and go at radically DIFFERENT TIMES) just to see if that wasn't a "fluke'. On a really bad day,when an unusually large number of employees have called in sick, or the schedule was a disaster, or business has been way above normal, yeah it can make a big difference in the way the store looks, just in 24 hours the grocery section (well, esp produce, meats, deli, bakery) can change its appearance quickly.
Yea, I never get the Kroger and Wal-mart mentality. However, I do agree with you on the upkeep of both stores. Most especially when I go into Wal-mart to get my ice cream. As it looks like the end of days in there, lol. And although we have some associates in the Wal-mart down the road from the Kroger I work at, that greet you and ask if you found everything okay. Then there is the other one in the next township over, and it's so freaking alien in there. And actually so is their Kroger's. People are hardly friendly, the store is set up in a way that feels really ass backwards. And for the both of them, they are typically out of what you are looking for, ALL. THE. FREAKING. TIME! Super annoying.
But yea, for the most part, I appreciate Kroger trying to add that more personal touch. Sometimes to the point that I think some customers feel like we are annoying the hell out of them, when we acknowledge the hell out of them. But then when you aren't paying attention at the right moment, some are like little kids. Like "Don't you see me standing here already?" It's something else.
When I was hired and eventually trained through the workshops or whatever they call them now, they kept dragging Walmart for just about everything.
As someone who worked at a Walmart before coming to Kroger I thought it was just some weird propaganda thing they did, because when trained at Wally nothing like that ever happened.
Anyway, cut to now and I feel like our store and especially front end is a mess (cashier here) and I thought it was worse here.
I recently went shopping at Walmart and omg the difference in everything was so bizarre. Everything but the canned food was in stock. Everything in the shelves were either misplaced or empty. The produce was by far the worst, mostly empty and if it was in stock it was not looking very fresh.
And the front end was a mess as well. No greeting, no simple exchange. Nothing. Just scanned and told me the total.
And as a worker on the front end its so weird, especially as much as I hate it, our manager always pushes us to greet and make customers feel welcome. (even telling us if its your worst enemy, you say hello and smile,) to tell them about surveys, etc etc.
At the end of my shopping experience I was glad I worked at a Kroger because it just looked like wayyy less hassle. This post doesn't go anywhere just wanted to talk about my exp. Thanks for reading, love u all.
It depends on the neighborhood. I have been to nice walmarts where even the customers are friendly and bad ones. But even in the bad ones I gave gotten help from management. Kroger is no better than walmart.
And then there are those Wal-Marts with 30 registers, but lucky for you, there are only 2 of them open and both backed up with customers...And before you even get there, you have to walk the whole length of a building just to find the items you want (not particularly appealing to the seniors out there) and then, if you need help finding or reaching something, good luck trying to find an associate to help you get it! And those are just a few issues from the customers' viewpoint...Imagine how they treat their employees and think about low their stock has tanked over the last few years...And on top of that, the departments do look a shambles many times, no? Plus, you hear more about Wal-Mart in the news than you do Kroger...There's a lot to consider when comparing the two retail companies...
And then there are those Wal-Marts with 30 registers, but lucky for you, there are only 2 of them open and both backed up with customers...And before you even get there, you have to walk the whole length of a building just to find the items you want (not particularly appealing to the seniors out there) and then, if you need help finding or reaching something, good luck trying to find an associate to help you get it! And those are just a few issues from the customers' viewpoint...Imagine how they treat their employees and think about low their stock has tanked over the last few years...And on top of that, the departments do look a shambles many times, no? Plus, you hear more about Wal-Mart in the news than you do Kroger...There's a lot to consider when comparing the two retail companies...
Do you work for Kroger corporate, because the same can be said for Kroger. Tons of registers, but only one or two lanes open. Lazy supervisors who won't call for cashier help. Managers that don't even acknowledge customers when they walk by. Not being able to find an employee when customers need help finding something. Prices constantly ringing up wrong. Lanes with no baggers, the list goes on. Kroger saying they offer customer service is a farce. There is no better customer service at Kroger than a Wal-Mart or target, etc.
No one from Kroger Corporate here...Just an employee who has actually seen this in Wal-Mart before with his own eyes! And by the way, it depends on the Kroger...Maybe YOUR Kroger has those problems, but at OUR Kroger, we have some of the nicest, friendliest and most helpful people around who go out of their way to help when they can...I won't say all Krogers are perfect, because...guess what...THEY'RE NOT! But, compared to what I'VE personally seen at Wal-Marts in the past, I'LL take Kroger anyday!
You know, I've actually been to stores and restaurants where the employees come up to you every 10-15 minutes and ask if everything is all right and if you need anything...Never once saw that at a Wal-Mart, but at least, we try to greet and help as many people as we can on a daily basis...Is it perfect? No, but then NO retailer is perfect...That doesn't mean one stops trying to get better, though...
No one from Kroger Corporate here...Just an employee who has actually seen this in Wal-Mart before with his own eyes! And by the way, it depends on the Kroger...Maybe YOUR Kroger has those problems, but at OUR Kroger, we have some of the nicest, friendliest and most helpful people around who go out of their way to help when they can...I won't say all Krogers are perfect, because...guess what...THEY'RE NOT! But, compared to what I'VE personally seen at Wal-Marts in the past, I'LL take Kroger anyday!
You know, I've actually been to stores and restaurants where the employees come up to you every 10-15 minutes and ask if everything is all right and if you need anything...Never once saw that at a Wal-Mart, but at least, we try to greet and help as many people as we can on a daily basis...Is it perfect? No, but then NO retailer is perfect...That doesn't mean one stops trying to get better, though...
Well if my Kroger was like that. Its still Kroger isn't it? And it's not just one Kroger there are many bad krogers, it tends to depend on the area and the management. And I have been to good Wal-Marts where the employees recognize me as a regular customer, because I have shopped there for years and they have worked there for years, even at Wal-Mart's I had never been to before or don't shop at often I have gotten good service, depends on area and management. So get off your high horse. If you know your company is great you won't have to bash another company no matter who they are because you can focus on how wonderful you are. Why is Kroger bringing up Wal-Mart I'm there orientation anyway? Why not Fox us on what you want employees to do for your own company? CLEARLY Kroger is insecure.
No one from Kroger Corporate here...Just an employee who has actually seen this in Wal-Mart before with his own eyes! And by the way, it depends on the Kroger...Maybe YOUR Kroger has those problems, but at OUR Kroger, we have some of the nicest, friendliest and most helpful people around who go out of their way to help when they can...I won't say all Krogers are perfect, because...guess what...THEY'RE NOT! But, compared to what I'VE personally seen at Wal-Marts in the past, I'LL take Kroger anyday!
You know, I've actually been to stores and restaurants where the employees come up to you every 10-15 minutes and ask if everything is all right and if you need anything...Never once saw that at a Wal-Mart, but at least, we try to greet and help as many people as we can on a daily basis...Is it perfect? No, but then NO retailer is perfect...That doesn't mean one stops trying to get better, though...
Well if my Kroger was like that. Its still Kroger isn't it? And it's not just one Kroger there are many bad krogers, it tends to depend on the area and the management. And I have been to good Wal-Marts where the employees recognize me as a regular customer, because I have shopped there for years and they have worked there for years, even at Wal-Mart's I had never been to before or don't shop at often I have gotten good service, depends on area and management. So get off your high horse. If you know your company is great you won't have to bash another company no matter who they are because you can focus on how wonderful you are. Why is Kroger bringing up Wal-Mart I'm there orientation anyway? Why not Fox us on what you want employees to do for your own company? CLEARLY Kroger is insecure.
No one from Kroger Corporate here...Just an employee who has actually seen this in Wal-Mart before with his own eyes! And by the way, it depends on the Kroger...Maybe YOUR Kroger has those problems, but at OUR Kroger, we have some of the nicest, friendliest and most helpful people around who go out of their way to help when they can...I won't say all Krogers are perfect, because...guess what...THEY'RE NOT! But, compared to what I'VE personally seen at Wal-Marts in the past, I'LL take Kroger anyday!
You know, I've actually been to stores and restaurants where the employees come up to you every 10-15 minutes and ask if everything is all right and if you need anything...Never once saw that at a Wal-Mart, but at least, we try to greet and help as many people as we can on a daily basis...Is it perfect? No, but then NO retailer is perfect...That doesn't mean one stops trying to get better, though...
Well if my Kroger was like that. Its still Kroger isn't it? And it's not just one Kroger there are many bad krogers, it tends to depend on the area and the management. And I have been to good Wal-Marts where the employees recognize me as a regular customer, because I have shopped there for years and they have worked there for years, even at Wal-Mart's I had never been to before or don't shop at often I have gotten good service, depends on area and management. So get off your high horse. If you know your company is great you won't have to bash another company no matter who they are because you can focus on how wonderful you are. Why is Kroger bringing up Wal-Mart I'm there orientation anyway? Why not Fox us on what you want employees to do for your own company? CLEARLY Kroger is insecure.
Well, YOUR experiences may not be MY experiences, but it doesn't make them any less valid now, does it? I'm sure there are great Wal-Marts out there, too...I've just PERSONALLY never been to one...Definitely, it depends on the area and the management, too (and no matter what ANYONE tells you, there are bad places EVERYWHERE in EVERY company FYI!)... STILL, I've been to places where the customer service outshines both Wal-Mart and Kroger put together!!! Yes, believe it or not, THEY DO EXIST, but you've got to find them!!! Yeah, it can sometimes get annoying when you're at a place where EVERY EMPLOYEE is just so cheery and helpful, but it's those LITTLE, OUT-OF-THE-WAY, MOM-AND-POP-TYPE places that I go BACK to time and time again! Could it be that Wal-Mart and Kroger are just TOO BIG for their own good?
I stick to what I said. Kroger is insecure. If you are happy with you, no need to bash anyone else. Why waste time in an orientation talking about another store. Worry about what your customers want from you, because bashing walmart in an orientation is not going to stop a customer from shopping there if they come to a Kroger and are disappointed.
