We’re close to entering the quarter 3 of 2024. 2 was a bit of a challenge. What can stores expect in the next quarter? More of the same or an increased focus on cost cutting? Specialists are supposed to go away. Doesn’t happen. Flatbeds to third party, doesn’t happen. Gig workers to work shifts in stores, doesn’t happen.
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If Marvin and his goons were smart they would start closing at 9:00. Everything past 9:00 is an utter waste of payroll. Not enough customers here at that time to make payroll.
Is something happening? Overheard a few managers talking about “changes to the specialist”, “they’re all going to quit”, “we’ll figure it out”. I’m out of the loop. Is this nothing or is something going on?
Hopefully we'll start being closed for two days on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
It'll save payroll hours
My store is on a hiring freeze. Part timers down to maybe 4 hours if lucky. Full timers been cut to 36 hours.
FT at my store is getting written up for everything possible and being pushed to quit. They have the PT from other departments cover. Only hiring is for PT. Store run with less than bare minimum. Rumors are store closings coming soon.
Marvin was asked about specialist going away. This was in his weekly podcast. He said Lowe’s has no plans to get rid of specialists. Marvin said because of their knowledge. Specialists make customers feel better about their purchases.
Flatbeds went to 3rd party in Ca. About 6 years ago !
Something I have been expecting, Front End/Loaders go 3rd Party, except Returns.
Possibly unload crew, too.
Yet Lowe's keeps opening more Rental locations which from what I hear are being opened in hopes of attracting more pros. Huge capital investment and decades before they are in the black (if ever).
I’ve been at the same store 10+ years. They’ve been cutting hours all month, I’ve never seen them start cutting hours so early. Only 1 person per dept, so no one to cover lunches. If someone calls in, there’s no one else to cover or put up freight, do IRPs, down stock , etc. At the meeting, we didn’t make sales again last week, so more cutting. It’s not looking good.
Wow, Just Wow. How on earth do folks come up with these wild theories?
Gig workers will be working shifts in stores once the details are worked out. They have already lowered starting pay rates.
Now that the labor market has crashed due mainly to the influx of illegals the plans that have been on hold for several years can be put into effect. You have already seen the cuts in staffing levels not only at lowes but among all 4 major big box retailers. This was part of an informal agreement to lower labor costs by decreasing the availability of jobs. Now that there is a surplus of labor the plan is to cut back on full time positions until there are none in the store with the exception of department supervisors. At the same time eliminating all employees making above the target wage for the particular market(I'm still trying to get ahold of the formula but have been told in some markets it will be $1-2 above minimum wage)
These companies are going to continue cutting payroll until the stores are just able to open the doors and take the customers money. They don't feel the need for customer service because they put all of the smaller businesses either out of business or marginalized so consumers have no where else to go. The new model is product comes in, goes on shelf and customers buy. If they need help they need to search google or youtube. Customer service is dead.
OMG, stop saying specialist are going away. They are not. This has been a rumor for years. Focus elsewhere.
Specialists will be gone Q1 2025.
The store I retired from in January went to 3rd party flatbed a few years ago.
But past performance being an indicator of future results, I'll bet more cost cutting.
I go to the store every couple of weeks for something I need to work around the house,
foot traffic is definitely lighter.