I went to a massive big box store to get something the other day (not a lot of choices in the location where I was), and it was so vast and there were so many choices and so much was locked up that it would have taken 45 minutes to pick up something that should have taken ten minutes tops. I left.
Noticed this at big chain stores the last couple times I was in NYC. Both times, in different parts of the city, I just walked a few blocks to a non-chain drugstore where nothing was locked down. Either the indie stores are taking massive losses, or this isn’t really about theft.
So much this! Also I love going to my little local hardware store. I swear it's every bit as bizarre as the Winchester Mystery House. Usually an employee walks you to whatever you're looking for and then waits to guide you back out. 😆
Tried to buy ibuprofen in Target the other day. Two nearby employees started quibbling with each other about who should unlock the case instead of just opening it. It went on so long, I just left the store and bought it elsewhere.
JoAnn Fabrics and BJ's Wholesale have both really been pushing for order-for-pickup which, I would have thought impulse buying would more than make up for overhead from in-store shopping and shrinkage. But I guess I'm not a private equity genius.
