Walmart Saint Albans could be a great store. But for all of the space available, the check out stations installed, the huge parking lot, the number of workers on shift it just can't seem to pull it off. Here's my theory:
1. They have maybe 10-20 checkout stations here. I barely see 4 open at any given time! This seems inefficient and just plain dumb.
2. It's a huge store but boy they sure had no clue how to organize it. It's a disaster of departments bleeding into other departments, customer service locations built for inventory or places for the staff to chat. A place this big, you'd think they'd have some quick map or locator...nope. Most departments are full of nothing I'm looking for and if they have it I have to wade through piles of disorganized stuff to find it!
3. No problem getting a parking space but no one seemed to clearly mark the aisle direction for the angled parking they installed. So I'm dodging cars and shoppers everywhere. It also doesn't help that the ingress and egress from the lot are snaked all over in 5 directions so good luck finding a quick way in and out of there without an accident.
4. I like seeing staff on the floor. But I'll add that just having staff out on the floor isn't enough. How about more staff WILLING TO HELP? They seem to staff this store with more unhappy workers who seem to be aimlessly milling about doing something (anything) other than helping customers. There are a couple places and times where I've seen real outgoing help here (electronics has someone on staff who really wants to help. Other than that, forget it, you're on your own here.
Let me also add that the in-store Subway is a waste. Unfriendly workers, half of the time they are out of certain meats or breads and it just doesn't live up to the consistent standards of most franchises I've been to. It's such an afterthought adder. They'd do better with a Dunkin Donuts or McD's.
I really don't like shopping here if I don't have to. Sure the prices are fairly competitive when I can find what I want. But the struggle to park, get my way around the store and customers who prefer to slowly block aisles or chat with staff, then have to find an open check out is just too much to make it worth my while most times. read more