When I lived in the neighborhood, this was my Shopko for a few years. I've seen it brimming over with customers and employees fighting for space to move around one another; alas, this visit was the exact opposite of that. Firstly, a few thoughts on the company.
I'm never at a loss for entertainment when I visit a Shopko, namely because of the upper crust department store prices tagged all over the store; most specifically, in their apparel/accessories and domestics/housewares departments. I'd expect to pay $80-90 for an off- brand purse at Macy's, but not at a hometown version of Kmart. What is even more entertaining is their "Clearance Blowout Events" where all clearance is marked down 80% from the original price. In most cases, the clearance price reflects what the original price should have been to begin with. Aside from the gimmicky clearance pricing and the cute attempt at being comparable to a higher echelon department store, this Shopko in particular was neat and clean. There was not an employee presence anywhere on the floor, but the young man at the cash register was very polite and respectful. We visited at around 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening and were the only other customers in the store (there was a Mom and daughter visiting as well). In considering the big sale offered for President's Day, I expected to be competing for products of interest.
As a final thought Sears, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, and Office Depot are mere miles away; therefore, I believe this Shopko will struggle to retain relevance being surrounded by so much competition. I also hated to see employees forced to wear the most hideous colors imaginable; khaki and olive drab. Corporate retail has lost its human connection in forcing their employees to wear the same thing. Where is the individuality and the creativity in that? Employees are thinking, feeling, and creative human beings; they should never be treated like mindless automatons. Business casual is preferable to khaki pants of any kind coupled with a basic polo of varying colors (depending upon where one shops). Stay competitive and in turn stay relevant.
All USA
When I lived in the neighborhood, this was my Shopko for a few years. I've seen it brimming over with customers and employees fighting for space to move around one another; alas, this visit was the exact opposite of that. Firstly, a few thoughts on the company. I'm never at a loss for entertainment when I visit a Shopko, namely because of the upper crust department store prices tagged all over the store; most specifically, in their apparel/accessories and domestics/housewares departments. I'd expect to pay $80-90 for an off- brand purse at Macy's, but not at a hometown version of Kmart. What is even more entertaining is their "Clearance Blowout Events" where all clearance is marked down 80% from the original price. In most cases, the clearance price reflects what the original price should have been to begin with. Aside from the gimmicky clearance pricing and the cute attempt at being comparable to a higher echelon department store, this Shopko in particular was neat and clean. There was not an employee presence anywhere on the floor, but the young man at the cash register was very polite and respectful. We visited at around 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening and were the only other customers in the store (there was a Mom and daughter visiting as well). In considering the big sale offered for President's Day, I expected to be competing for products of interest. As a final thought Sears, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, and Office Depot are mere miles away; therefore, I believe this Shopko will struggle to retain relevance being surrounded by so much competition. I also hated to see employees forced to wear the most hideous colors imaginable; khaki and olive drab. Corporate retail has lost its human connection in forcing their employees to wear the same thing. Where is the individuality and the creativity in that? Employees are thinking, feeling, and creative human beings; they should never be treated like mindless automatons. Business casual is preferable to khaki pants of any kind coupled with a basic polo of varying colors (depending upon where one shops). Stay competitive and in turn stay relevant.