Walmart Brings Back Greeter Positions And Plans To Increase Wages For Their Hourly Employees Again, Plans To Beef Up Security

The nation’s largest retailer says it’s moving to bring more employees to the front of the store. They will greet customers at the door and be available to answer any of the shopper’s questions. They will also check receipts of customers exiting the store, reported CNN Money.

“We expect to fill about 9,000 of these new hourly positions that are specially trained to both welcome customers as soon as they walk in and also help deter would-be shoplifters.”

Walmart has spent an upwards of a billion dollars in the past few years raising the wages of their hard-working hourly employees. They started a “pilot program” last year that moved some of the hourly workers to the front of the store and in departments to make the employees more visible to their customers. The workers wear yellow jackets to make them easy for shoppers to find.

Walmart – Now Hiring – Nationwide https://t.co/AbOF2rkTKq pic.twitter.com/u9Qv5Yl2wM

— Paul Starling (@PaulStarling2) May 7, 2016

Several years ago, Walmart was under scrutiny after they were accused of everything from low wages to [allegedly] refusing to promote women to management positions. They have worked hard to repair their once-good name, and started by increasing their employees’ wages to at least $9 an hour, nationally.

The Walmart CEO spoke to CNN and stated that they aren’t done yet, and plan to increase the employee’s wages every few years. He addressed the fact that many of their hourly employees still qualify for government assistance. He explained the company is working to find a solution and a way to pay their workers a “livable wage” without the help of food stamps or other government-funded programs.

“We’ve been working to welcome customers to an improved Walmart for some time now, and of the countless details we’ve taken a look at, a key piece has been better utilizing an important role – our greeters. Last year, we launched a pilot program that in many stores, moved our greeters from action alley back to the front door, and in others, introduced a brand-new position: customer host, an associate who greets customers, but also checks receipts where appropriate, assists with returns and helps keep entrances clean and safe.”

Walmart plans to increase their security in order to keep their costs low and reduce shoplifting in their stores, UPI reported. The greeters will welcome you to the store when you walk in, and will be there to check your receipt when you leave the store. The company revealed they planned to hire 300 more undercover security workers that pose as shoppers in an attempt to reduce theft.

“Customers have told us that the stores feel friendlier when there is someone at the door to say ‘Hi and welcome them to Walmart.”

Walmart explained on their blog earlier in the week they plan to hire 9,000 employees in the next few months. Two-thirds of the employees with be the traditional senior citizen greeter positions and the remainder will be younger employees with bright uniforms that will be easy for shoppers to spot. They will check receipts, handle some security duties, and help process returns.

Walmart hiring for up to 95 jobs at new Orlando Neighborhood Market https://t.co/QzVQeNY13c pic.twitter.com/ps3kJR3xTF

— Chad Creech (@ChadCreech) April 16, 2016

NBC reported that Walmart loses about $3 billion annually to theft. The company hopes that the new program and increase in staffing will reduce the shoplifting rate.

“To help ensure each store has the coverage it needs, we’re using data on safety, security and shrink risks to guide us on how best to staff our entrance. Where our data tell us the risk is higher, we’ll add the new customer host. We expect to fill about 9,000 of these new hourly positions that are specially trained to both welcome customers as soon as they walk in and also help deter would-be shoplifters.”

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[Photo By AP Images/Jae C. Hong]