I agree with both of your posts above.

I am A+, N+, Server+, Security+ certified, Cisco CCNA, CCNP trained (never bothered to certify), have been building computers and networks since 1997. First computers were Cyrix 486DLC w/dos/3.1 and Original Pentium 75 w/NT4/Win95/Redhat.

The problem you outlined above is a major problem most don't truly understand. Stores continue to hire as if they are throwing darts at a dart board. Each dart is being thrown by someone less experienced than the last.

It's a self deprecating cycle that gets worse each time it repeats. You get stores of green employees from the GM down that do not know how to run a thriving store. They know only enough collectively to keep the store from catching on fire and frustrating unqualified new hires. The results are obvious to our customers when they see mediocre work/performance in easytech, copy center, when attempting to purchase from the sales floor that is dirty, poorly stocked, end caps not merchandised properly, empty parts of the store that need a manager to actually care enough about presentation to correct eye sores in the store without a POG telling them to do so. Customers getting help from employees that know less about the services and products offered than they do.

Our loyal customers are the ones we burn first, for as stupid as most of us think customers are, they are not blind to what a good store looks like, their memory may not be great but they can recall better times vividly enough that I can name out who and when they are talking about and from stores other than my home store.

TL;DR

STAPLES make more happen!

Make more employee's feel worthless so they never return!

Make more replacement hiring/training happen!

Make more disappointed customers shop at competitors!

Make more frustrated new hires call out/eventually quit!