Wal-Mart Greeters Moving Further Into Stores

The greeters in Glen Burnie are a familiar site at the entrance of the stores, always smiling and making shoppers feel welcome. Now, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the daytime greeters are moving further into the stores to help customers.

A greeter in every store was the vision of Sam Walton after he visited a Louisiana Wal-Mart in the 1980s that had one, according to spokeswoman Ashley Hardie who said the story was included in Walton's autobiography.

Hardie explained that some overnight greeters were "removed" last September and offered other positions with Wal-Mart where they could serve customers better. That news was confused with the move this week to reassign the duties of the daytime greeters to interact more with customers.

Starting in early February at stores across the country, Hardie said the responsibilities of the greeters were adjusted to interact more with customers and they were moved from the entrance to be closer to the checkout lanes.

"Greeters will interact more ... answer questions, give directions and direct customers to available associates to help them find things," Hardie said.

Although in the past Hardie said greeters also tagged return items and prepped shopping carts, their focus now will be on serving customers.

When asked if the greeters will still hand out smiley-face stickers, Hardie laughed and said yes.

How do you feel about the greeters at Wal-Mart? Tell us in the comments.