Does Anybody Work at Target?

Okay, my headline, Does Anybody Work at Target, is a bit facetious, but let me set up this story.

My wife Kathy and I were out shopping Saturday, and stopped at Target for a few things. As we were finding what we needed, I was struck by the fact that I hadn't seen a single  "red-shirted" target employee. At the check out, for sure, but not in the rest of the store and isles. I wanted to find an umbrella, so began looking for someone to ask where they might be. It was a long trip.

Target people are good people, and we love shopping there, but, Isle after isle, department after department...nobody. I probably should have gone up to the service counter, but it wasn't very close to the entrance and I thought surely I would find someone. Nope. But, after walking from one side of the store to the other I did find someone, five someone's actually, having a nice conversation. I broke in and asked about an umbrella and they were very helpful so I got my umbrella.

All of this got me thinking about big retail stores in general, retail as it is today. Whether I go to Meijer, don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc., it is difficult to find an associate for some assistance. And, when you do find someone, they may not always be able to assist you.

How do you feel about this? Is it that the bigger things get, the smaller service gets? And, are we so used to it that we just accept it?  I mean, I get that you can't have an employee every 100 feet, but maybe just a bit more attention to detail would make today's retail customer experience lovelier.