Understaffing Makes Retail Spaces Inaccessible

Recently, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few last minute items only to discover that most of the stuff I was looking for was on the top shelf of whatever aisle it happened to be in. “No problem” you might be thinking, “just ask one of the super helpful employees every grocery store commercial says is right around the corner”. And I would ask an employee for help, but there’s no one. Ever.

You see, stores nowadays focus on keeping the absolute minimum amount of staff on hand to keep the store running smoothly. When you see someone restocking and straightening the shelves in an aisle, they’re not responsible for the presentation of that aisle or even that department; they’re actually responsible for straightening and stocking the shelves of three departments so the odds of them even being present to answer your question or reach an item are slim to none.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have been unable to reach an item I need in a store only to leave without said item because I couldn’t find someone nearby to reach it.

The understaffing of retail spaces (especially grocery stores) is making these places inaccessible. I wish companies would do more to make their staff available to disabled folks who need a hand. Either that, or they should update that blue sign by the door to read “We’re more than happy to assist customers with their shopping (assuming you can find us)”