The Coles Thread (7 Viewers)

[greekgun]

Haha thanks greekgun! Vote of confidence in my ability to get a bs management position! xD

haha i only say there bullshit positions because alot of management are stuck up.

 

[wixxy2348]

I would think that specialty staff (i.e. fishmonger, cheese expert) positions would probably only exist in the upper-class / high sales $ stores. I'm really interested to see how the renewal progresses through the smaller stores.

Have you heard anything back about your Deli 2IC position yet?

I was looking at a cheese expert position, and then I realised that I know only deli cheeses (the ones in the window) and none of the cheeses in the cheesebar! But pretty sure it was in a store that wasn't upper class or high sales. And Smithfield is neither of these things either!
Haven't heard back about the 2IC position.... it doesn't close til Feb 14th, but I'm not really expecting to get anywhere with it! Might go into the store on one of my days off next week, though.

haha i only say there bullshit positions because alot of management are stuck up.

This is true. I find this at my store (for example, I work in bakery and the manager refuses to help anyone out with their "inside" work... he will ONLY do propriety bakery. The staff are a bit surprised because on his days off, I do all his work, and then still pop in and help them out as much as I can - which is quite a lot). Tbh the way I see it, management are there to act in a supportive role, not to just do their own thing and assume that everyone else will be fine. I pretty much keep that in mind when I'm manager for the day/2IC on the other days.

 

[greekgun]

This is true. I find this at my store (for example, I work in bakery and the manager refuses to help anyone out with their "inside" work... he will ONLY do propriety bakery. The staff are a bit surprised because on his days off, I do all his work, and then still pop in and help them out as much as I can - which is quite a lot). Tbh the way I see it, management are there to act in a supportive role, not to just do their own thing and assume that everyone else will be fine. I pretty much keep that in mind when I'm manager for the day/2IC on the other days.

Well arent u a gun - its people like u i love to work with.

 

[wixxy2348]

Well arent u a gun - its people like u i love to work with.

In my experience, the only decent managers are the ones who've been shitkickers for years and know what it's like to have a manager who does jack. I probably sound all full of myself etc etc but I'm just being honest about how I work.

 

[greekgun]

In my experience, the only decent managers are the ones who've been shitkickers for years and know what it's like to have a manager who does jack. I probably sound all full of myself etc etc but I'm just being honest about how I work.

Nah sounds like you will be an awesome manager of some sorts.

 

[wixxy2348]

Nah sounds like you will be an awesome manager of some sorts.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

eh
Im interested in finding out how coles is going to differentiate from safeway/woolies - i mean its all "Same shit different smell" to me.

They have wisely decided they are going to shift from a price war to differentiate through customer service. It's all about a long term share of wallet view. 2/3rd's of customers don't buy fresh food in supermarkets in Australia - in the UK (where all the management is from) 98% do. So Coles has embarked on a fresh mission. For example, we went to a fresh supplier and he told us that under their contract, Coles has first rights to the freshest, best items, and that if it doesn't meet standards, they receive no money.

Woolworths, despite being the fresh food people, I suspect do not particularly care about fresh. We learnt down there that fresh actually loses money. But people will not come into your store and buy the profitable groceries if your fresh is not up to scratch.

Well I know at one of the new concept stores out my way they apparently have noodles cooked fresh to order in the delicatessan. (I'm not sure how else it differentiates from Woolies/Safeyway as I haven't been there myself).
It will be very very interesting to see what the pick up for that is like, and whether similar sorta things are spread across the store.

These renewal stores have a few different things. We went to one in Victoria, it has a thing called Curry Pot, which sells Indian takeaway, and an Italian section, which sells Italian takeaway. Apparently other cuisines are being introduced too. They also have gourmet breads and meats from local suppliers that are on offer. Now you might be thinking this is only for blue ribbon suburbs, but this particular one was probably 45 mins outside of Melbourne's CBD and was what I would describe as a yuppie, aspirational suburb. Never underestimate the power of people trying to keep up with the Jones's.

Wixxy will know what a Woolworths refurb store looks like - and they are great. But the Coles renewal stores blow it out of the water. The fresh produce is on ice. They are not allowed to have crates or boxes on view in the produce section - period. And it looks 10x better as a result. They have this salad bar that has fresh fruit and vegetables cut up and customers can pick and mix all they like. The bakery and meat and seafood prep areas are actually visible - (this was one of my favourites) you watch the butcher cut their meat and the fishmonger (and they have to be fishmongers) debone their fish. The deli section is now slice on demand - instead of chopping up all your meats and watching them go stale its all done when the customer is there. So they can see its fresh, and it allows them to tailor their order to the customer need ie. thickness. And the whole produce section is made out of wood pillars and stuff - it really looks like a market.

Grocery isn't too revolutionary but I like the concept of the value alley. Basically, these stores don't have front ends. The main specials are in the middle of the store. Because they have broken up the aisles in half, i creates a value alley of specials - it draws customers to this location. And I liked the fact that there were no barriers to enter - its all open plan.

eh
From what ive seen Coles and safeway/woolies pretty much offer the same services, workers are pretty much trained the same and have the same procedures in the way they work, they have similar policies and management structures.

But yeah, whatever they bring out will probably mean more work for us.

This was one of the big things that HR stressed to us. That we were being employed as change agents, and it is hard to change staff perception of the company, because obviously it has been thinking as a No. 2 for so long. Of course, the two companies are much the same in terms of like for like roles. But they have hired us graduates this year to try and fix the perception of management. At Woolworths, the only way you can get store manager is through 10 years of hard work in the store, work your way from the bottom to the stop etc - maybe that works, maybe it doesn't. But I do know a lot of management as resentful of each other as there is only a certain number of management roles.

Under this program, I am going to be grocery manager in six months and store manager (if I do everything right) within 18 months. Thrown in at the deep end? Absolutely. But Coles upper management are willing to take the risk because too many of the current managers and staff are used to the old management that pushed Coles down from No. 1 to No. 2 over the years.

I have been in stores for five years. I have had some ok managers and some terrible ones. I am not going to be a bastard to everyone. I am not going to be one of those managers that you don't see. It's about transforming the management of the company, one small step at a time.

I'd agree with that.... apart from the blatantly obvious fact that Woolworths is just better
Haha kidding they're all shit.

Yeah pretty much if they follow the same sort of direction as the concept store in (Smithfield?), they're going to end up having to get a whole lot more specialised staff who're only good for one thing, and the rest of the store will suffer or wages will be blown right out of the water.

Hard to know until I get into the store, but Coles seem much more interested in the bigger picture. Woolworths are budget nazis, any expense has to be justified. At Coles, they realise that you have to spend money to make money. If you can make a customer happy, they stay, they spend more in your store, they tell their friends - it justifies the initial cost.

And Wixxy, I have never spoken to you individually on the Woolworths thread but my recollection of you is that you are hardworking and good natured and have a sense of humour which you definitely need at Woolworths. All this talk I have been hearing of Woolworths is their insistence of cutting wages everywhere - and customers will notice no matter what they say. Leave the cesspool and join where the revolution is happening .

But seriously, it's a great time to be joining the company. Where can Woolworths go from here? Only down. And Coles can go only up. I am staying with Coles for good now. I want to punish Woolworths for rejecting me for their grad program. In hindisght, everything happens for a reason and I couldn't be happier.

Sorry for the long post btw, looks like it never rains but it pours in this thread!

 

[bdude]

But seriously, it's a great time to be joining the company. Where can Woolworths go from here? Only down. And Coles can go only up. I am staying with Coles for good now. I want to punish Woolworths for rejecting me for their grad program. In hindisght, everything happens for a reason and I couldn't be happier.

Which part of the Grad program are you in?

 

[whatashotbyseve]

Which part of the Grad program are you in?

It's called retail leaders. Store management training pretty much for graduates. All the other functions (like marketing, my actual degree) had only one or two positions and required you to move down to Melbourne. But I love supermarket retail so I am not complaining.

 

[jirwin]

Despite the fact I'm currently in a 'I hate Coles' mood because they are cracking down on uniforms at my store, I'm excited at the prospect of a lot of change. Last time I worked I heard the produce manager talking about the Markettown store and from what I heard it sounds like they have the ice boxes for produce - whereas we aren't on the refurb list for the next 12mths but that particular night all the produce bins were being ripped up and replaced (I haven't been to work since to see though).

I like the whole 'open plan' for the entry but the removal of our express barriers have been quite annoying.

Go back a fortnight and then add all these changes in and work would be perfect in my opinion.

Edit: As perfect as it can get.

 

[greekgun]

Yeah, i hate it when they use a crack down on uniforms as a shitty scape goat for their shitty management. They were going on about how my black pants had these faint little lines going down them (pin stipe) and how its not acceptable. Fucking gay, what they should be cracking down on are all the bludger workers who put pressure on everyone else by not doing work and stuff.

 

[jirwin]

Yeah, i hate it when they use a crack down on uniforms as a shitty scape goat for their shitty management. They were going on about how my black pants had these faint little lines going down them (pin stipe) and how its not acceptable. Fucking gay, what they should be cracking down on are all the bludger workers who put pressure on everyone else by not doing work and stuff.

I agree! My pants are pure black, except they are a thicker material. My new service manager said they were jeans, but then changed her mind to cargos (after she felt the material). Said it wasn't acceptable and needed business pants. To me cargos have side pockets, and ironically I had been wearing cargo pants from since I started for over a year. Got these new pants around August/September.

Meh, not too concerned anymore. Found some 'business' pants that looked ok on me for $15 ($14.25 with staff discount at kmart). I'll still be wearing my current ones for another week until the new ones are taken up... and then they will just be my spares in case I'm called in when my other pants are in the wash.

Decided I'll wait until my shoes are picked up on because A LOT of employees in other sections wear similar style shoes, so until the entire store has to change, I'm not.

I think their effort could be put to better use then uniforms - yes of course some things needed to change, but not so drastic (I mean come on, no one see's our socks so why do they have to be black!)

 

[bdude]

I agree! My pants are pure black, except they are a thicker material. My new service manager said they were jeans, but then changed her mind to cargos (after she felt the material)

They sound a bit like chino pants, which I wouldn't have a problem with if they're black and still look like business-style trousers.

Meh, not too concerned anymore. Found some 'business' pants that looked ok on me for $15 ($14.25 with staff discount at kmart). I'll still be wearing my current ones for another week until the new ones are taken up... and then they will just be my spares in case I'm called in when my other pants are in the wash.

Watch out, the really cheap ones are mostly polyester and can be really uncomfortable in warm weather.

I think their effort could be put to better use then uniforms - yes of course some things needed to change, but not so drastic (I mean come on, no one see's our socks so why do they have to be black!

That's just good fashion sense.

 

[greekgun]

I agree! My pants are pure black, except they are a thicker material. My new service manager said they were jeans, but then changed her mind to cargos (after she felt the material). Said it wasn't acceptable and needed business pants. To me cargos have side pockets, and ironically I had been wearing cargo pants from since I started for over a year. Got these new pants around August/September.

Meh, not too concerned anymore. Found some 'business' pants that looked ok on me for $15 ($14.25 with staff discount at kmart). I'll still be wearing my current ones for another week until the new ones are taken up... and then they will just be my spares in case I'm called in when my other pants are in the wash.

Decided I'll wait until my shoes are picked up on because A LOT of employees in other sections wear similar style shoes, so until the entire store has to change, I'm not.

I think their effort could be put to better use then uniforms - yes of course some things needed to change, but not so drastic (I mean come on, no one see's our socks so why do they have to be black!)

Eh, u wouldnt think pants matter so much...customers dont even see them, half of our body is covered by the register.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

Still, it's not too hard to find suitable pants from Lowes or the like. It's all about taking personal pride in your appearance.

 

[jirwin]

Still, it's not too hard to find suitable pants from Lowes or the like. It's all about taking personal pride in your appearance.

Which is why I don't want to change pants. Oh and btw, I'm female so finding suitable pants from Lowes isn't about to happen. Female business pants seem to make me look fatter then I am. Large 'top', skinny 'bottoms' - like a light bulb.

I don't see the point in needing black socks when we are standing behind a register and people don't see our socks - be different if we sat down but we don't.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

I should have checked your gender lol! Every female register staff member I see wears a skirt though, have literally never seen on in pants. This is at Woolworths though, mind.

 

[jirwin]

I should have checked your gender lol! Every female register staff member I see wears a skirt though, have literally never seen on in pants. This is at Woolworths though, mind.

The females at my store mainly wear pants. Those that wear skirts now have to wear stockings though and no more short skirts (although I wouldn't say they were short/inappropriate) and no more high waisted skirts (which I think looked completely horrible in the first place).

I wouldn't be complaining if I was male - male business pants are nice material, don't make you look like a light bulb (shape wise) and have pockets! The back pockets on female business pants are always fake and not all pants have side pockets. I was lucky today, pretty good pants and awesome price.

I think I'm just annoyed at the fact that I've been wearing this uniform for approx 6mths and it meets the requirements of 'clean, neat and professional'. I think all females should have to wear covered-in shoes - no more 'ballet flats' and pants legs should be taken up as too many people let them get all ripped and scruffy because they are too long for them.

 

[wixxy2348]

These renewal stores have a few different things. We went to one in Victoria, it has a thing called Curry Pot, which sells Indian takeaway, and an Italian section, which sells Italian takeaway. Apparently other cuisines are being introduced too. They also have gourmet breads and meats from local suppliers that are on offer. Now you might be thinking this is only for blue ribbon suburbs, but this particular one was probably 45 mins outside of Melbourne's CBD and was what I would describe as a yuppie, aspirational suburb. Never underestimate the power of people trying to keep up with the Jones's.

This sounds really good... But what have sales been like? And apart from blue ribbon/yuppie 'burbs, do they really think that it's going to take off? (I have the mindset of living near/working in Bankstown in Sydney's west.... I can't imagine most if any of our customers embracing this change!

Wixxy will know what a Woolworths refurb store looks like - and they are great. But the Coles renewal stores blow it out of the water. The fresh produce is on ice. They are not allowed to have crates or boxes on view in the produce section - period. And it looks 10x better as a result. They have this salad bar that has fresh fruit and vegetables cut up and customers can pick and mix all they like.

This would be so hard to maintain

The bakery and meat and seafood prep areas are actually visible - (this was one of my favourites) you watch the butcher cut their meat and the fishmonger (and they have to be fishmongers) debone their fish. The deli section is now slice on demand - instead of chopping up all your meats and watching them go stale its all done when the customer is there. So they can see its fresh, and it allows them to tailor their order to the customer need ie. thickness. And the whole produce section is made out of wood pillars and stuff - it really looks like a market.

Eurgh not keen on the slice on demand concept. Food safety means you'd have to clean & sanitise the slicer between every different type of meat that you slice.... As a customer I would be so annoyed at the wait time that I'd probably end up preferring pre-sliced stuff.

And Wixxy, I have never spoken to you individually on the Woolworths thread but my recollection of you is that you are hardworking and good natured and have a sense of humour which you definitely need at Woolworths. All this talk I have been hearing of Woolworths is their insistence of cutting wages everywhere - and customers will notice no matter what they say. Leave the cesspool and join where the revolution is happening .

Naww heh If I can I can! Still haven't heard back about my application though

I should have checked your gender lol! Every female register staff member I see wears a skirt though, have literally never seen on in pants. This is at Woolworths though, mind.

In my Woolies store, the only people who wear skirts are the CSM and the only female produce staffmember. None of the front end girls wear them or anything!

 

[whatashotbyseve]

This was at Ivanhoe, I don't know if anyone is in Melbourne and can comment further on the status of the suburb but it was definitely not blue ribbon. Sales are up 10% according to management, but make of that what you will. Also my store is way further west than Blacktown so it will be interesting to see what happens!

Went to my store for the first time tonight, what a culture shock! I am used to a refurbed Woolworths with everything looking modern. This one is stuck in a time warp from 1985, I hate the deli section in particular. Man does this need a refurb. It's certainly going to be interesting.