Don't Care Attitude

I frequent mainly three(3) Shoprite Stores in the Pretoria area, because of their competitive prices, compared to the other retail giants. However their conduct in all their Food Preparation Areas (DELI’S) respectively leaves much to be desired. The personnel, predominantly ladies Never-Ever wear gloves when they prepare food to be sold directly to the customers. I have raised this with the management in the various stores at odd times that I visited the stores on numerous occasions respectively. According to them (Store-Management), they are not trained to use gloves when they prepare the food and that no-one has complained in the past, “So what’s the Problem?”. They are totally indifferent and only commit that they would look into it, just to get you away. However when you happen to pop into the stores at any given time, it is still the same story. My argument is that you don’t get this at Pick & Pay and Woolworths or any of the other retail giants for that matter, who also prepare ready to eat meals. I’m of the opinion that it is indicative of the lack of respect for the customers whom they are dependent on for their patronage. I find this conduct totally ridiculous. I therefore beg the questions, (1) What message are they communicating to the middle to lower income target markets, which makes-up the bulk of their customers (Whom are predominantly non-white)? (2) How can their (Shoprite’s) Code of Conduct or Service –Area Conduct, not obligate them to wear proper attire when serving/preparing food, regardless of who the person is on the other side of the counter? (2) Whether they are profit driven or Customer Service driven? I’m profoundly disappointed with this bad service, as this is a HYGIENE-issue, which you don’t get in stores who care for their clientele. Shoprite/Checkers Senior Management needs remedy this situation in the interest of fair and equal customer service.