Wal-Mart brings greeters back to most of its stores

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Those smiley door greeters are back at Wal-Mart.

The nation’s largest retailer said in a blog post this week that it’s bringing back door greeters to a majority of its 5,000 stores by midsummer to improve customer service. For stores that have been selected as higher risks for thefts, Wal-Mart will position a “customer host,” who not only will greet customers but also check receipts to prevent theft. That was flagged as a growing problem last year. Those workers will be trained to help deter potential shoplifters.

The rollout follows a successful pilot program.

Four years ago, the discounter decided to remove the workers at the front of the store and relocated them to other areas.

Greeters were a tradition that its late founder, Sam Walton, started.

The move comes as the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer is working to improve sales and service amid fierce competition from outlets ranging from dollar stores to online leader Amazon.com. The company has seen gains for a key revenue measure for six-straight quarters at its Wal-Mart U.S. division, but the increases mostly have been small.