Come Again
I went to K-Mart today at lunch time to get a few items and when I walked in the door, it was like I had just landed on Mars. I have never been to Mars so I am okay with not knowing my way around. I have, however, been to this K-Mart before, only to find out they changed the layout of the freaking store! Houston, we have a problem!
I walked around the store like an illiterate insomniac looking for a sleeping pill (no offense to illiterate insomniacs). I saw the signs hanging from the ceiling telling me which department I was in, but I just could not read them. My face was stuck in some kind of botox-injected paralyzed grin. I wanted to speak! I wanted to scream, but my mouth just hung ajar.
So, I continued my nomadic stroll around the store and observed the faces of the alien creatures and I seemed to be the only one bothered by the new layout. What, no warning? What happened to the pardon our appearance sign? It’s like coming home and finding your bedroom in the kitchen!
Why does this bother me? Maybe I don’t like change and when I go into a store, I know exactly where I need to go. I get in and I get out. Today, it took me 20 minutes before I could even put anything in my cart! I couldn’t find anything! I also walk with a purpose and today my stride was broken. My swagger was humbled. The layout also didn’t make sense either, it didn’t flow.
On my way out when I stopped to show the security guard my receipt, I leaned in and asked: Who said K-Mart could change the layout of the store?
He laughed and said, Oh yeah everything has been changed.
I said, No, I’m serious, who authorized this?
To K-Mart: I just want to say, I’m on to you. This is just a marketing ploy to slow down your regular customers, like myself, who breeze in and out of the store without looking at the other items you have for sale. This tactic is just to confuse the bejeezers out of your regulars and the only way we can get comfortable with change is to, come again.
I think it worked, I’m going back next week, but I’m leaving my debit card at home.
on November 3, 2007 at 1:17 am
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Oh, that drives me bananas when stores rearrange everything! I remember several years ago, K-Mart rearranged all their stores because they were supposed to “all have the same layout!” O_o Whatever. LOL
on November 3, 2007 at 1:48 pm
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I agree, I hate it when stores rearrange everything and you have to hunt for the items you went in to buy. I’m a very infrequent shopper so for all I know they probably moved things a number of times before I get back to the store. You’re right they do it to make you see and buy items you weren’t planning to get and come again!
on November 5, 2007 at 8:32 am
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Oh my, I am the say way about Shoprite – so wrong of them to change the store w/o providing maps to the regular customers. BTW, I’d like to ask Charity what vitamin she takes that keeps her awake at 1:17 in the a.m. on the computer – I need some.
on November 5, 2007 at 8:57 am
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This is funny Val… As a former employee of K-mart… I am guilty of one of the ones who “moved” the stuff around. They also do this in preparation for the holiday inventory. Items that need to be seen and “moved” have to be placed strategiclly around the store. I’m sure they are about to make the “christmas” scene settings so… all I can say is…. EXPECT MORE!! – Also, unless the store is “under renovations” there will be no posting of signs… Usually the moves are done overnight so they can be ready for those avid shoppers (with or without a debit card).
on November 6, 2007 at 6:28 pm
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We have a store that just did that too! I was in one day, went in the next and everything was moved. They are open 24 hours and apparently they are workers bees while we are catching our zzz’s. It was frustrating!
Found you via Blog Rush. Wanted to say hi.
on November 7, 2007 at 5:27 pm
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Funny, but i’m like Charity we/I work better at night (nocturnal)…but you do feel like a fish out of water. They are preparing for the “roll-over” for the holidays…keep alert Val…..you are truly special
~
on December 25, 2007 at 5:03 pm
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I found you in BlogRush, too. Just wanted to say I love your blog and this post is one reason why. Very funny stuff you got here. I like your writing style and attitude. I’ll be back for more.
Regards,
Kathy
on December 26, 2007 at 7:18 am
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Hi Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by. It makes me feel good to know people enjoy what I have written.
on January 7, 2009 at 2:52 pm
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“I have never been to Mars so I am okay with not knowing my way around.”
(laughs for a while) Well, it sounds like you’re pretty adaptable even though you’re not down with change.
I’ve never drilled down the why behind stores moving stuff around. Two thoughts:
1. That is so freaking frustrating as someone who usually has an armload of kids and wants to blow in and out, and
2. Damn that’s sort of an ingenious marketing technique.
cardiogirl´s last blog post..She might be the next Miss America
on January 7, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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kmart and all the other stores think they are slick cardiogirl. they are not! i was in there yesterday and still a little lost. i may never recover from that redesign.
Natural´s last blog post..You Know It’s Time To Give Up Blogging When….
on March 15, 2009 at 3:37 pm
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YES, exactly, Natural. A pet peeve extraordinaire.
KMarts are gone here now, belly up a couple years ago.
really, all gone. we have a few left here. i like the store okay, just don’t change stuff around on me.