A Walton tradition vanishing from all-night Wal-marts.
Wal-mart stores have always prided themselves on having Southern hospitality, hence the door greeters that shoot you a smile, offer you a shopping cart and sometimes shake your hand. They are one of the legacies of Sam Walton. However, I read recently that greeters on overnight shifts are being discontinued -- just one more hazard of the anemic economy. Most employees won't be fired, simply given other duties and shifts. Still, I wonder what the late Sam Walton would say? He established the signature greeter program in 1980. For him, making the customer feel at home was everything.
Many detractors are blaming his children, who have taken over the business, for ruining Wal-mart and abandoning father Walton's principles. One can argue that they are simply being profit-conscious. However, given that Wal-mart is already suffering an image problem due to perceptions that they underpay employees and overseas shop workers, this is just one more gesture that shows a lack of human touch and caring.
Sure, this cost-cutting change will save money, but will it make Wal-mart more sterile and generic to consumers? Without a smiling face in a trademark blue-apron at the door, will shoppers make a personal connection that keeps them coming back out of a perceived sense of family-like loyalty? I'm sure axing late night and early morning greeters are just the beginning. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years all greeters have vanished.
Shoppers have probably already noticed the change. According to Bloomberg News, greeters on the overnight schedule have been slowly vanishing since June. Hug one before it's too late.
