The advance of technology helps facilitate our lives a great deal, but do we pay a high price when it comes to relying on the machines way more than we should?
In order to speed up the process of running errands and shopping for groceries, Walmart introduced self-checkouts. What they didn’t expect, however, is to face backlash because of this decision that many of the customers consider controversial.
The self-service machines aren’t something new. In fact, they were first introduced in the 1980s to lower labor expenses.
But this service faced plenty of obstacles and customers complain to the added responsibilities.
For example, certain items may have multiple barcodes, whereas the produce, including the meat, fruit, and vegetable, typically needs to be weighed and manually entered into the system using a code, which might be time consuming for the ordinary shoppers. Other times shoppers won’t hear the “beep” confirming an item has been scanned properly.
Another issue is the increase of theft. Walmart announced that thefts at its stores has reached an all-time high.
The machines not only fall short at their purpose of making shopping easier at times, but they also make it harder for the employees they were meant to help.
Christopher Andrews, a sociologist and author of The Overworked Consumer: Self-Checkouts, Supermarkets, and the Do-It-Yourself Economy, says the system “doesn’t work well for anyone.”
He continued: “Everyone feels like they have to have it. Companies are thinking: ‘If we can just get more people on this, maybe we can start reducing some overheads.’”
What’s most, most of the customers have reported that they miss the human interaction while shopping.
Randy Parraz from Making Change at Walmart perfectly summed up customer sentiments by saying, “You can’t convince customers to do the job of a cashier just because you don’t want to pay for the work.”
Walmart decided to listen to what their customers had to say and instead of further expanding automation, the retail giant will hire additional cashiers to provide their customers with a pleasant shopping experience and service.
What Walmart and the rest of the retailers, among which Costco and Wegmans, learned is that efficiency is important but maintaining a balance with positive experiences remains crucial.
Fans are in awe of Martha Stewart’s stunning selfies at 81 years old, marveling at her timeless beauty and confidence
Martha Stewart is a well-known personality in the home and lifestyle sector, having made significant achievements in a variety of industries over her lifetime. She has achieved success in a variety of commercial endeavors, including publishing, merchandising, and online sales.
Stewart has hosted her own television shows, written cookbooks that became best-sellers, and contributed to several newspapers, magazines, and other publications.
Even with a lengthy and demanding career, Stewart still has time to interact with her social media fans. Known for her daring decisions that have surprised people on occasion, she is regarded as one of the most endearing and giving individuals in the hospitality industry.
Stewart, like many women, has had to deal with the difficulties of growing older in a culture that has high standards. She does, however, approach aging with the same poise and assurance that she did when she worked as a stockbroker. Even at eighty-one, her Instagram feed is replete with pictures, some of which are selfies, that showcase her timeless elegance and attractiveness.
Stewart has been posting images on social media lately that have amazed her fans and drawn criticism. She shared a selfie at a hair salon in January 2023, which provoked discussions about how she looked. Declared without a doubt, “No re-imaging!” Stewart noted that the picture was taken without any filters and credited her glowing skin to Pilates and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Stewart has been open about her cosmetic regimen and has given credit to excellent dermatologists and facials, despite claims that she uses Botox and other cosmetic improvements. Her audience has been divided and inspired by her daring decision to keep posting seductive pictures; some like her youthful appearance, while others wonder if she has undergone any cosmetic procedures.
Stewart posted another picture of herself on Instagram in April 2023, eliciting praise from her followers once more. She made the most of her day by getting pampered with a manicure, pedicure, and new haircut in spite of her flight being canceled. Praise for Stewart was abundant in the comments, with many admiring how beautiful she appears for her age.
Stewart is unapologetic, embracing her beauty and encouraging others with her self-confidence and refusal to let age define her, even though her daring photographs continue to elicit conflicting emotions.
Leave a Reply