PA n. 1. The STORE'S Public Address system. When not otherwise in use, a steady stream of MUS-ICK! issues forth, periodically punctuated by pre-recorded PROMOS. See also PAGE, below. 2. (Very rarely) a Performance Appraisal, or job review.
Packing Theory n. The scientific discipline that provides a mathematical basis for optimizing the arrangement and stacking of quantities of items within a given space.
NOTE: I acknowledge that this is the deep end, and that I don't know much about it. However, I do know that...
TRUE STORY: Packing Theory was invented by the British Navy, who back in the days of rigging and sail were desperate to maximize the number of cannon balls and kegs of powder stuffed into their ships of war. Seems that the last man, er, boat still shooting tended to win those engagements they kept having with the Spaniards, pirates, etc. Not to mention that resupply was often weeks or even months away.
Well, here in our present context we simply observe that there is often such a thing as A Better Way, but also acknowledge that cramming the most into a given space is not for us as desperate a priority as it was for those sailors way back then. Other things, like the appearance of neatness and visual appeal are equally important to STORE MANAGERS and CUSTOMERS alike, and deserve our diligent consideration.
For a little more about circle packing, with diagrams, see, e.g.,
TRUE STORY: Packing Theory was invented by the British Navy, who back in the days of rigging and sail were desperate to maximize the number of cannon balls and kegs of powder stuffed into their ships of war. Seems that the last man, er, boat still shooting tended to win those engagements they kept having with the Spaniards, pirates, etc. Not to mention that resupply was often weeks or even months away.
Well, here in our present context we simply observe that there is often such a thing as A Better Way, but also acknowledge that cramming the most into a given space is not for us as desperate a priority as it was for those sailors way back then. Other things, like the appearance of neatness and visual appeal are equally important to STORE MANAGERS and CUSTOMERS alike, and deserve our diligent consideration.
For a little more about circle packing, with diagrams, see, e.g.,
Pad n. The left-over cookie-sized punched-out center portion of a large circular FLOOR polishing or buffing machine insert used by the CLEANING CREW. See also CLEAN-UP.
NOTE: These things are mighty handy when used for various small cleaning jobs along with RED or BLUE JUICE. E.g., for the periodic cleaning the TAG rails fronting all of an aisle's bottom SHELVES, etc.
Page n. Any call or announcement made over the STORE'S Public Address system: "Did you hear that page?" —v. To make such a call or announcement: "Did you page me?"
NOTE: Some people seem to thing that talking incredibly fast and/or sounding impatient or cranky is the right way to make a Page. Uh,... no.
Consider what's playing over the PA before your Page interrupts: MUS-ICK! and the occasional PROMO with professional production values. The idea here is to provide an audio environment that soothes and informs the CUSTOMERS. To help encourage them to be happy shoppers.
Thus, your style of speaking when making Pages should likewise soothe and inform. For example: "Customer assistance to Captain's Choice, please. Customer assistance to Captain's Choice." Friendly; good manners; that kind of thing.
Repetition and speaking slowly is important because—like you—other ASSOCIATES and MANAGERS are busy, are sometimes in a noisy environment, or are in the middle of conversations, and so on, and may not immediately "tune in" to what you're saying. So, help them out: speak slowly, clearly, and give the important information twice. If nothing else, it cuts way down on those ridiculous: "Please repeat the last page..." Pages.
Consider what's playing over the PA before your Page interrupts: MUS-ICK! and the occasional PROMO with professional production values. The idea here is to provide an audio environment that soothes and informs the CUSTOMERS. To help encourage them to be happy shoppers.
Thus, your style of speaking when making Pages should likewise soothe and inform. For example: "Customer assistance to Captain's Choice, please. Customer assistance to Captain's Choice." Friendly; good manners; that kind of thing.
HOW TO: Make a PAGE
- Pick up the telephone handset.
- Press and release the "Page" button on the body of the phone.
- Speak into the handset receiver slowly, clearly, and loud enough to be heard.
Repeat the message, saying the person's name or department name and the place or phone extension they should contact twice. - Press and release the small rectangular "Release" button on the body of the phone to break the connection silently and avoid making a loud audible "clunk" over the PA system.
- Hang up the telephone handset.
Repetition and speaking slowly is important because—like you—other ASSOCIATES and MANAGERS are busy, are sometimes in a noisy environment, or are in the middle of conversations, and so on, and may not immediately "tune in" to what you're saying. So, help them out: speak slowly, clearly, and give the important information twice. If nothing else, it cuts way down on those ridiculous: "Please repeat the last page..." Pages.
Pallet n. A low, roughly table-sized platform that supports and is used to transport STACKED CASES of various PRODUCTS: "Drop those pallets under the mezz." See also CHEP PALLET.
NOTE: Pallets are typically made from either wooden ties with cross-laid slats or a single piece of heavy-duty molded plastic. Contents may be bound around the circumference in layers of wide plastic film WRAP to help add stability.
Paper PALLET n. One or more occasional, special PALLETS kept aside to hold CASES of paper towels, tissues, and other paper goods of various kinds and sizes. See also WATER PALLET.
NOTE: While technically BACK-STOCK, CASES on the Paper PALLET are typically not put in the GUN because they are high-turnover, and will not spend any appreciable time in INVENTORY. These PALLETS get worked every SHIFT or so, as often as necessary to keep the SHELF reasonably full.
Phone Features n. Beyond simple direct dialing, there are extra things you can do using the in-store phones.
(* This space RESERVED for PHONE FEATURES LIST *)
(* E.g., How to use Feature-74-Hold... ??? *)
(* E.g., How to use Feature-74-Hold... ??? *)
Phone List n. A directory of in-store telephone extensions. (* Common to all stores? *)
(* This space RESERVED for IN-STORE PHONE DIRECTORY *)
Pick List n. A daily, computer-generated list of BACK-STOCK ITEMS to be gathered and THROWN to the SHELF: "I'm doing the Pick List."
Pick List CART n. A RUNNER of BACK-STOCK ITEMS that the computer "thinks" ought to GO to the SHELF: "Work the Pick List Cart next."
Pick of the Week n. 1. A weekly sales promotion of a usually small ITEM at the checkout registers. 2. CASES of the Pick of the Week ITEM received as part of the usual LOAD: "Where's my Pick of the Week?"
Pinwheel Fold v. To close a BOX or CASE by laying flaps down in a clockwise or counter-clockwise order, and folding the last flap under the first to hold them relatively secure. —n. Any closure made in such manner.
Pinwheel Pack v. To put PRODUCT into a BOX, CASE or CRATE by laying it down in a clockwise or counter-clockwise order, so that the same edge of the PRODUCT packaging is in contact with the outside edge of the container, regardless of the container's rotation. —n. Anything so packed.
NOTE: Wire MILK CRATES are the container of choice for ITEMS like 100-ounce plastic jugs of laundry detergent, and the Pinwheel Pack holds four of them nicely, with every label facing outward for ease of identification.
For pouches of rice or pasta side dishes, lay them on their backs in a pinwheel arrangement, possibly alternating head-for-toe in small STACKS so each composite STACK of STACKS in the pinwheel lies flatter.
As with all packing, the idea is to clearly show what's in there, plus (what may be a slightly competing objective, namely) to minimize the task of reorientation as ITEMS are later extracted.
For pouches of rice or pasta side dishes, lay them on their backs in a pinwheel arrangement, possibly alternating head-for-toe in small STACKS so each composite STACK of STACKS in the pinwheel lies flatter.
As with all packing, the idea is to clearly show what's in there, plus (what may be a slightly competing objective, namely) to minimize the task of reorientation as ITEMS are later extracted.
Plan-O-Gram n. A diagram or chart used by the RESET TEAM that shows the intended placement and arrangement of the HOLES for ITEMS on the SHELF.
Plexi n. Short for PLEXIGLASS. See GLASS.
Plexiglass n. See GLASS.
PLU n. "Produce Look-Up (Code)," or "Price Look-Up (Code)." A numeric code, usually four digits, possibly five, on produce labels which is used by checkout cashiers to link the fruits or vegetables customers bring to be placed on their register's scale to the appropriate PRICE on a written list or in the STORE'S computer.
NOTE: The PLU is such a fixture of the GROCERY scene that nowadays almost nobody knows what the letters stand for—and that includes lots of people working in Produce departments! There's also some debate about whether PLUs are standardized across different stores and in different areas of the country. Most likely the answer is that the industry is in the process of promoting its standards. Different PLUs for different stores and different areas of the country makes no sense.
In any case, CUSTOMERS who use the U-SCAN self-checkout lanes can lookup PLUs themselves on a nearby chart, or get assistance from the overseeing U-SCAN operator.
According to one source, the usual produce PLUs of 4 digits (4011, for example) are conventionally grown, whereas organically grown produce PLUs consist of 5 numbers, with the first number always 9 (94011, for example). Genetically modified produce PLUs have 5 digits, with first number is always 8 (84011, for example).
In any case, CUSTOMERS who use the U-SCAN self-checkout lanes can lookup PLUs themselves on a nearby chart, or get assistance from the overseeing U-SCAN operator.
According to one source, the usual produce PLUs of 4 digits (4011, for example) are conventionally grown, whereas organically grown produce PLUs consist of 5 numbers, with the first number always 9 (94011, for example). Genetically modified produce PLUs have 5 digits, with first number is always 8 (84011, for example).
Plus, (+) v. To record on the (NEGATIVE ORDER WORK) SHEET the addition of one or more CASES put into BACK-STOCK: "Remember to plus that." Also PUT IT IN THE GUN.
Pop Shell n. The medium-sized shaped plastic tray used to support, move and stack groups of eight or so 2-liter soda pop bottles.
POP SHELLS Porch n. The outside area accessed via ALARMED perimeter door that is enclosed by a high chain-link fence where STACKS of empty POP SHELLS, PRODUCT-specific PALLETS, plastic BREAD RACKS, and other such weather-proof VENDOR-owned ITEMS are stored to await pick-up on their next RUN.
P.O.S. n. "Point of Sale." I.e., typically a small DISPLAY at the checkout registers. See also PICK OF THE WEEK.
Power JACK n. A large, mechanized JACK with rechargeable batteries which has motors to lift and move heavier PALLETS than can be managed with a HAND JACK. Contrast HIGH-LIFT.
Price n. The regular, OFF-SALE cost of an ITEM to the CUSTOMER. Compare SALE PRICE.
Price Check n. A request by a cashier at a checkout register or at the CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK to have an ITEM'S PRICE verified by a STOCK CLERK visually inspecting the ITEM'S SHELF TAG: "I need a price check on (some item or other)."
Price Control n. The DEPARTMENT responsible for maintaining SHELF TAGS, 3-UPs and other DISPLAY SIGNS, along with the pricing and other information shown on them.
Price Discipline n. See PRICE CONTROL.
Priority Service n. An urgent call over the PA announcing that the checkout registers have become backlogged or crowded, and for all DEPARTMENTS to immediately send personnel to the FRONT-END to assist the cashiers by serving as baggers. A way to quickly increase throughput at the registers and increase CUSTOMER GOODWILL.
Product n. A tangible ITEM which can be sold. Compare SERVICE.
Product Line n. A collection of PRODUCTS, sometimes but not necessarily related or similar, from a single manufacturer; e.g., various kinds of bagged, salty snacks, or a family of soaps and detergents.
Promo n. A promotional message or advertisement. See PA.
Punch In/Out v. To enter your BADGE NUMBER into the TIME CLOCK in the BREAK ROOM when you start/finish your SHIFT.
Purple Tote n. A usually purple-colored plastic bin with two large, opposing and interlocking tabs for a lid. Typically used to transport and/or ship a collection of small or oddly-shaped ITEMS, such as spices, toothbrushes, etc. Purple Totes are mainly used by the GENERAL MERCHANDISE (GM) DEPARTMENT.
NOTE: Sometimes cigarettes or other ITEMS of special value may be shipped in red totes; sometimes not.
Put it in the GUN v. See GUN.