274 replies to this topic

[Contractorguy]

most of the workers there appear to be 40 or under from what I can tell, but will admit I haven't paid that close attention

 

I think they have a massive turn over of staff its very common today in all businesses.  I do know on their ID badge it says what year they started, but again its not something I have paid attention to that closely.  I will look next time I am in

 

So why can't they find staff with these superior benefits?  Pension, medical, dental and others must be worth an easy $2-3/hr.  People should be leaving Superstore, Save on, Thrifty's and other types of businesses another retail for Costco.  Why would anyone work at say Tim Hortons which advertises at minimum wage because I would say its an equal physical job PLUS benefits.  They should be ready to open that 2nd costco in 99 days and 10 Timmies are closed with "no staff" signs from your logic

[Mike K.]

Thank you for calling 40-somethings young

Costco might have higher standards. It’s not the easiest place to get hired on with, I think. And the frantic nature of the store is not appealing to a lot of workers. Way less stress, presumably, at SuperStore or Thrifty’s.

[Contractorguy]

no offense to those that do, but I sure as heck wouldn't want to be moving pallets or working as a cashier at 50+.  

 

I have no idea about hiring standards at Costco, but in todays labor market and when you are paying $18.50-19.50 you take anyone who applies, no resume, no anything.  I know government agencies that now don't even care if you graduated high school or can even read or write - you are hired!

 

As for the frantic nature of the store, I think that comes down to the individual person.  People who get easily flustered would be a disaster, people who are calm, cool and collected and just want to do their job, punch out and go home would work well.

 

Where did you hear that labor shortages was the reason they weren't building a new store?  Walmart opened Hillside a few years ago and the labor market hasn't changed since then.  I've travelled a lot over North America recently and the labor shortages here aren't any different in any of the cities in the US and Canada I've visited

[Mike K.]

Costco management.

 

Maybe it's a ruse, but I don't think so. When they told me how many employees they have, my jaw hit the floor.

 

It's a 24 hour operation, so it's not like your typical grocery store that shuts down at 10PM. Costco gets busy when the doors shut.

[HarrisonGreene]

When they say construction, does that include excavation?

[Contractorguy]

When they say construction, does that include excavation?

99 days was from weeds growing to welcoming the first people into the store.  As I previously said that may have changed with the labor shortages.

 

Mike, I'm also aware its a full 24 hour a day operation, that's when the majority of the product gets moved, I was in there after hours a few decades ago for a little while.  I used to have contacts with Costco management in Seattle, unfortunately those are gone.  There were plans back then to move the Nanaimo store but obviously that hasn't happened.

[lanforod]

I decided to look it up for fun and while I think that used to be true, its not anymore.  Going wages are $18.50-$19.50/hr

 

https://cta.cadientt..._id=55661472234

 

Whoa! That's sad. Sorry I'm wrong .  I was reading some threads about how Costco wages were 25.50-30.50, but i'm not sure where that was. Dang, 18.50 is low.

[lanforod]

Not sure you can get building inspection to sign off in 99 days!

[Matt R.]

Even for a more skilled position as a baker. Same rate. Kind of insulting actually.

Country Grocer here offers benefits plus a 30% discount, they appear to be fully staffed.

[lanforod]

CG is by far my favorite grocer locally. Its not the cheapest like Walmart, but better than Whole Paycheck or Not so Thrifty Foods .

[Matt R.]

We have a thrifty’s here as well. People have their loyalties.

[Mike K.]

Thrifty’s is like a bargain bin when you compare prices at the two Sooke stores.

My goodness, the Sooke mark-up is huge!

I was at Whole Foods a few weeks ago and that was a shock, for sure. The store was not very busy. I don’t know if our market can sustain them, but then who knows, Victoria has so much quiet wealth that I’ve been surprised by how well some businesses do that you’d never expect to be profitable.

[Contractorguy]

The quiet wealth shops at places like Peppers.  I don't know a single person who shops at Whole Foods, the location is pathetic, its like someone in NYC or somewhere chose it without visiting town

[LJ]

They also have very good benefits, and the staff discounts don’t hurt. But as you say, the starting wage isn’t much better than what you can find elsewhere and if you’re on the floor you’re also dealing with a very high stress, busy environment. Costco is aware they lose a lot of business from people who don’t want the hassle of such a busy store. Like it’s over the top sometimes. Now imagine working in that environment every day, you’ll get burned out fast.

You could go to Co-Op and earn about the same with no stress.

[Contractorguy]

I just looked it up, I am shocked to see the benefits co-op offers its employees.  I agree if it was me I would work at Co-op any day over Costco