There are those that drink the Belk Kool-Aid and those that don't. It is wise to know what's in the Kool-Aid before you drink it.
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You sorta hijacked the portion of my post in quotations. When I described today's retail management as a popularity contest, I meant that in a very narrow sense. It wasn't meant to be a commentary on how the sales cycle has evolved within department stores.
What I am referring to are sleazy store managers, hourly associates getting the southbound end of the northbound bus, and the stuporvisors that reside in between. Aside from that, I agree with the rest of your post. Although there were some notable retailers that went out of business or started to fade away in the 1990's. Bad management is bad management, regardless of changing preferences.
“Retail jobs are social by nature which enables the popularity contest that is today’s retail management.”
Seriously? The 80’s and 90’s B&M store success was driven by vendor leases departments and professional sales associates. Store success was driven by clients relationship and loyalty to the particular associate. All sales oriented businesses are driven by relationship and loyalty, owed to the Sales Professional first, then brand and last, company branded name. Internet interruption, then Omni-Channel, and company relaiance on 3rd party credit comapanies changed the landscape of retail. Sales professionals take their “book of relationships” and move on to small privately owned entities affording the way for cashiers, and in the meantime, Amazon is opening 4 Star stores in malls. The old is new again.
I don't blame all of this on retail workers or older generations. Retailers have been giving less and less to employees, which continues a trend started in the 80's and 90's. In 1973, the average wage of a retail worker would have been equivalent to around $23 today! Things just aren't like that anymore unless you're a salaried manager.
Not to mention sh–ty and corrupt upper management has enabled the degradation of hourly employees. Retail jobs are social by nature which enables the popularity contest that is today's retail management.
"belk is filled with low information and low curiosity people" these are exactly the people belk wants to hire, low information, low education people who don't question why they have to do the jobs of three or four people for $11 an hour. This just started happening after Sycamore took over 4-5 years ago, they calibur of people they are hiring (up until covid's hiring freeze) is shocking. when a store manager can't figure out what 60% of $89.99 is without a calculator you have a big problem.
A lot of us are curious. But we're the older ones brought up in a different time. We were taught to appreciate your job ,don't make waves,or cause any trouble . And we have been afraid of loosing our job. Belk will send you packing and hire the next sorry lazy thing that's coming in the door and not care about you one bit. We're curious ,oh yes we're curious.
Honestly, retail is filled with low information and low curiosity people. This is true for management and hourly workers alike. I'm not saying that these people are stupid, I'm just saying that it is easier to bury your head in the sand.
our Store manager is interviewing tomorrow at another company, I’m one of her references
"I’ve seen store managers and STM’s that are so brainwashed it’s scary, one told me she was unaware of any rumors of Belk’s bankruptcy, “To my knowledge Belk is doing spectacular” she said this three days ago."
They know how much $$ they make and how little the underlings do. Of course they think every thing is all butterflies and rainbows.
“To my knowledge belk is doing Spectacular” if a manager told me this, I would ask her why the corporate office only has 400 people left working in it
It's the same in our store, but more are getting wise as time passes.
I’ve seen store managers and STM’s that are so brainwashed it’s scary, one told me she was unaware of any rumors of Belk’s bankruptcy, “To my knowledge Belk is doing spectacular” she said this three days ago.