Minnesota Based Target Implements a New Policy

We hear about new policies being added to businesses here and there and for various reasons.  Whether or not you like a new policy, it's usually added to either help the company or the customer experience, or both.

This time, the new policy added at Target seems like it shouldn't be a policy that has to be added.  It seems like a policy that should just be common sense.  I have worked a lot of retail and customer service, and the "new policy" that Target has now implemented seems like a policy that you should just do automatically.

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HERE IT IS

From the New York Post:

Target wants its employees to spread some holiday cheer — whether they like it or not, according to a report. The Minneapolis-based retailer issued a new directive mandating in-store workers smile and make eye contact and either greet or wave to any shopper that comes within 10 feet, according to Bloomberg News. If a customer steps within four feet, then the service rep is instructed to ask whether they need help or how their day is going, the new guidance said.

Why this isn't something that is just something that all the employees do whether or not it's the holiday season is beyond me.  That should be the first thing that employees do.  If you see a customer, just greet them nicely with either a smile or a smile and a hi or how are you doing?  It's just polite.

HOW IS YOUR DAY GOING

I will say that employees asking how your day is going is a little annoying - but that's just me.  I don't need the coffee barista or any retail employee asking me about my plans for the day unless they actually know me.  First, I know they don't really care, it's awkward, and it's better to just say "Hi, how 'ya doing"?

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The whole idea is to improve the basic customer experience during the holiday season, which can be a very stressful time for most people.  But it should be something that is done throughout the year.

Maybe as a customer, we should be the first ones to say hi to an employee.