For my first review, I could take aim at one of the myriad restaurants in the DC/Baltimore/Annapolis corridor, or maybe one of the many vibrant, local theater offerings ...but no...I am going to actually review a grocery store. And not one of your upscale, snobatoriums, either. I'm going to review Giant Food. I am pretty pedestrian.
I've been shopping this Giant for going on eleven years now. Not out of loyalty so much as convenience. And that is how this particular Giant has built their business...on convenience. BUT...miracle of miracles...this winter the powers-that-be decided to renovate.
Sparing no expense, upper management descended upon this fortress of mediocrity, whipping listless managers and employees into shape, converting displays, adding technology and infusing the staff with a sense of urgency and dedication that I would not think possible. This lasted for several months. UNTIL...
Upper management, their jobs completed, left, riding into the sunset.
And, after making sure that their corporate overlords had actually left, the staff of the new and improved Giant, fell into the same comfortable pattern of indifference and laziness that has been their hallmark for years. Only now, they were doing it in a new facility, surrounded by better technology that served as a bitter reminder to customers of a world that might-of-been. So, with that background, let's take a look at the remnants of a better world that never actually stood a chance.
Walk from the parking lot towards the Giant. Weave your way through a seemingly permanent line of cars parked in the fire lane. They're always there. At this point, Giant management might shrug and say, "Hey, that's not OUR fault that people don't park in the parking lot." Yes it is. Tell your manager that if he's going to constantly smoke in front of the store, he can at least chase cars away. Oh, and that's the other thing...if you can ever count LESS than five employees smoking out front while loudly complaining about their jobs, I'll give you my firstborn. By the way, stop flicking your cigarette butts on the sidewalk.
The first thing you see is the new, high-tech deli kiosk. That has been out-of-order since installation. Anyhoo...
Produce section. No real improvement in the quality of produce. Hit or miss. Mostly miss. In the market for grapes or berries? Check them carefully for mold. Bagged salads are often at or near expiration dates. Garlic and potatoes are either spouting or rotten whenever I get them home. Your apples may be okay now, but the cashiers usually carelessly toss them into the bag area, bruising them, so it really doesn't matter how careful you are during the selection process.
Directions to the bread aisle should come with a bus schedule, as it is at the opposite freaking side of the store. Brilliant.
Deli. This one is, and always has been, a real test of wills between employees and customers. Generally, the deli is manned by three listless associates. They are not thrilled with their jobs. You could try to use the new number system, but the employees won't use it. You could try the kiosk by the deli, since the one in the front doesn't work. But no matter how you request your meat sliced, you're gonna get it the same way. Most of the deli employees don't like to thinly slice the cold cuts since it requires more effort to operate the slicer that way. Therefore, no matter how thin you request slices, it will always be done the same way...in thick, clumsy slabs. A stunning display of apathy and inefficiency. The deli is Achilles Heel of the Giant. And that is saying something.
The meat section is vastly improved. The butchers seem to be fairly enthusiastic.
Checkout. I don't even know where to begin. They've added a ton of self-checkout lines BUT they've reduced the number of cashiers. Now, actually, that would normally be a good thing, because Giant cashiers can be slow and bordering on surly, no matter what their stupid slogan states. Self-checkout does not always work properly, requiring the help of a slow and surly key-bearer. Let's talk about the self-checkout guns. Fantastic concept! I walk around the store, scanning my groceries and bagging them as I go. Now all I need to do is pay and I'm out of here. Wait. I'm stuck behind five people who are forced to self-checkout at the register because Giant has four cashiers open during rush-hour. Now all the time I spent self-scanning is wasted. I emailed Giant headquarters suggesting that they treat the lines like an EZ-Pass. I can scan and then pay in any line OR at a line dedicated to the hand-held scanners. "Great," they said, "but we need you to talk the manager into that idea." Um...doesn't he work for you? Besides, he's outside smoking...again.
Get my groceries, and go outside. Run the gauntlet of smoking employees, edge in between two cars idling in the fire lane and peek out to make sure no cars are coming. I'm home free.
Safeway is just up the road. read more