<p>m2ck, I was responding to you: </p>
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<p>And blue: </p>
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<p>Originally (to blue, the comparison):</p>
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<p>That, to me, is comparing fireman to retail by essentially saying “well, they have to work, so I don’t see how retail should be any different” Plus, it’s just a general argument that I’ve heard that I was sick of.</p>
<p>Earlier in this thread people were bringing up all of the other industries where people work on holidays. I don’t think anyone is comparing a cashier to a doctor, though.</p>
<p>I will say cops and firefighters probably work more for double-time than life-saving. Even doctors like to make money.</p>
<p>I get why you didn’t like the comparison. I don’t like the idea that retail workers are being abused. Have you seen the lines when someone is offering a seasonal position? They know they will work holidays.</p>
<p>Romani…</p>
<p>Did you think I was comparing the two groups???</p>
<p>*While I completely agree that doctors, etc, need to work 24/7 because they’re saving lives. Their jobs are super important to everyone. No question.</p>
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<h2>Stores open up early solely for profit</h2>
<p>However, to condemn a store who is making a decision for “profit” isn’t fair either. These corporations are employing tens of thousands of people. The success of those stores keeps paychecks coming for those many, many families. *</p>
<p>I wasn’t putting doctors etc in the same group as retailers.</p>
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Who are you talking to, m2ck? I’m trying to follow your arrow things…but then you’re “responding” to yourself.</p>
<p>It’d be great if we could include some names or quotes…</p>
<p>She was talking to me. I understood and agree. And, only shopped a little. LOL!</p>
<p>What are the arrows for?</p>
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<p>I know that a several years ago when I decided I no longer wanted to give my business to Sam’s Club, that I researched the working conditions of Costco employees. At least several years ago, they treated their employees very well. I got a Costco membership and have been happy there. My only beef with Costco is how early they start putting out their Christmas decorations (late August); that being said, my favorite place to shop is Nordstroms, not only for the merchandise, but because they refuse to shift into Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving… no decorations, music, etc. I really appreciate that.</p>
<p>Niqui…</p>
<p>Those arrows are pointing to Flossy’s post which is right above mine.</p>
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<p>Correct; that is exactly what I was saying. More importantly, I’m not smart enough to say which industries can work and which cannot – by mandating closures.</p>
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<p>Sorry, can’t help you there.</p>
<p>"I know that a several years ago when I decided I no longer wanted to give my business to Sam’s Club, that I researched the working conditions of Costco employees. "</p>
<p>I shop at both.</p>
<p>What is the difference in how they each treat their employees (Costco vs Sams)? I’m not including Wal-mart…just the two club stores.</p>
<p>It was several years ago, and I don’t want to post misinformation, but the first thing I remember was the difference in hourly wages between the two companies.</p>
<p>Anyway, my only point here is it’s a little silly to assume that all retail workers are somehow abused. I worked 2 holiday seasonal jobs including one Thanksgiving Eve when my kids were little because I had the time and couldn’t come up with a good reason not to earn a few thousand dollars. No harm done.</p>
<p>Well at least we don’t have to be concerned about too many American workers being forced to work in manufacturing plants on Thanksgiving Day…probably over 90% of the products being sold by American retailers past few days were made by workers out of the United States. Not sure that’s necessarily a good thing for American workers though.</p>
<p>I used to be a retail analyst and in my professional opinion, Costco is the best retailer in the world. This applies to employees, shareholders and customers. </p>
<p>They have a very simple business model: price all products w a 12-14% gross profit margin and keep administrative expenses around 7%. I’ve always said if I was desperate and needed a job, it would be the first place I apply. Store managers make well over $100,000 and they only promote from within and have a generous benefits package.</p>
<p>More importantly, I’m not smart enough to say which industries can work and which cannot – by mandating closures</p>
<p>and that’s a good point. </p>
<p>If a store’s corporate folks determine that to keep the stockholders happy and their employees employed, they need to be open on holidays to compete with their competitors (who’ll be open), then they probably need to do this.</p>
<p>the truth is that Christmas shopping really does make or break some companies. That’s why they called Black Friday, Black Friday. These stores are no longer running in the red.</p>
<p>Haven’t we all walked by some stores that seem to get little business and wonder how they stay open? I’m guessing that a number of these stores have to make big profits in Nov and Dec so that they can stay open the other 10 months.</p>
<p>m2ck, interesting. I’ve seen other posters use the number to indicate how many posts above them they are responding to. So when you put multiple arrows, I looked at the number of posts above and…(I’m sure you get the picture). 'Twas just a little confused is all. </p>
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Very true, Flossy. If abused mean that we get endless amounts of food, pizza every four hours, and enough drinks to last is a millennium, then I guess I’m an abused employee. ;)</p>
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This isn’t uncommon. There are profitable months/seasons and there are unprofitable months/seasons. Make enough so you can hold over for the drought.</p>
<p>M2CK - your question got me curious so I decided to do a google search just to make sure what was working for Costco back then, still applies today. I found several articles… most mention the disparity in pay between the two stores, as nj2011mom reports. Some of the articles also mention the availability and coverage of health insurance compared to WalMart/Sam’s Club… Costco evidently pays more toward an employee’s benefit, and its employees are eligible at fewer working hours per week, and earlier in their employment with the company. Costco also pays more toward an employee’s 401K. In turn, they have a much higher employee retention.</p>
<p>One thing I learned from the following linked article is that Trader Joe’s also follows a similar business strategy to Costco; nice to know since we are about to get a new one about ten minutes from where I live. </p>
<p>[Walmart</a> Pays Workers Poorly And Sinks While Costco Pays Workers Well And Sails-Proof That You Get What You Pay For - Forbes](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/04/17/walmart-pays-workers-poorly-and-sinks-while-costco-pays-workers-well-and-sails-proof-that-you-get-what-you-pay-for/]Walmart”>Walmart Pays Workers Poorly And Sinks While Costco Pays Workers Well And Sails-Proof That You Get What You Pay For)</p>
<p>Teri…</p>
<p>That’s not comparing Sams Club to Costco. It’s comparing Walmart corp to Costco. </p>
<p>Do you know if the Sams Club and Walmart employees have identical payscales, bennies, etc? is it possible that Walmart Corp provides a better offering to its Sams employees? </p>
<p>I don’t know. But, since often there’s a Sams and Costco within a mile or two of each other, I would hope that they would offer comparable stuff. </p>
<p>But, I don’t know.</p>
<p>I don’t know about employee and work issues…but I can tell you…I would NOT walk across,the street to go to a Sam’s Club. OTOH, I would drive 45 minutes to go to Costco. Costco is just a MUCH better warehouse club, in my opinion. The people,who work there are more helpful, and the merchandise is better.</p>
<p>be careful with statistics, teri.</p>
<p>Costco essentially breaks-even on its sales. (If it lowered employee benefits, it could actually make a profit on each item.) Instead, nearly all of Costco’s earnings are based on its membership fees.</p>
<p>The forbes article clearly has a pov of slant.</p>
<p>btw: WM is giving a 25% off coupon to each employee who worked T-Day.</p>