So Kroger is known far and wide for not training their associates. Well, maybe not, but mostly. My training "consisted" of a 15 minute tour showing me where everything is. That's it. I now have worked there for 4.5 months, hopefully I can help new baggers out. Feel free to comment and I'll add it to the OP.
Bagging
Now, mainly you will probably be bagging. It's easy, and now that I'm use to it I usually end up bagging automatically, not needing to really pay attention. It's generally pretty simple.
Like items go together (Boxes, cans, bottles, etc)
Cleaning supplies and chemicals should go in a separate bag, not mixing with any food.
With larger orders, I 100% recommend that you do cans, boxes, and other heavy items such as milk first. Set all of this stuff on the bottom layer. Then, on the next layer, set the rest of the stuff - Other boxes, bread, etc. This way, you don't end up with bread and eggs on the bottom getting squished (I've seen countless people make this mistake)
Raw meat goes in a separate bag, unless the customer says so
Keep cold/frozen stuff together although it's not a huge deal if a few non-frozen stuff ends up mixed in some customers are very anal about this (Thanks skugga_)
If someone comes up with a small double decker cart overflowing with groceries run away. You might want to give them a big cart because stuff always takes up more room once it's bagged but use your best judgement (Thanks skugga_)
Most of this is common sense, and may vary location to location.
Cart pushing
Cart pushing is the other side. This will vary location to location too, even in the same town/district/whatever. Ask someone who's been there a while if you're unsure, or a manager.
For our store, we are limited to 9 carts at a time, with the minimum being 5. We also have the smaller, double decker carts with no limit, but I push in 12-15 of those at a time.
If they don't provide water, bring your own.
This is just my preference, but especially with the short carts I push them backwards. Not from the side with the handle, but the other end. The strap always flys off, especially if it's missing the rubber bit (always use a strap)
Watch where the **** you're going. People will pull out and fly down the road all the time. Hit a car and you're probably ****ed tbh (thanks skugga_)
If the row of carts you are pushing starts to form into a curved line like a banana stop and readjust. This is particularly common with the small carts (Thanks skugga_)
6.Our store is very big, iirc it's the biggest in the division. There's 2 entrances, and the lot is all downhill. People usually don't get the carts from the back of the lot because it's "so far away". Don't be that guy. Normally, I go down to the back and grab 3-5 carts. Then once I get to the middle, I pick up another 2-3. This means you don't take a big long line up from the back of the lot, which gets tiring quickly. You may not have to do this, but lots of people only grab from the front corrals, which is annoying because the ones in the back get backed up and-
Sorry, back to the point.
cigarettes : (Thanks skugga_)
If the customer has the kind they are looking for ask if you can take the box with you. Makes the whole process a lot easier and quicker
Make sure you have correct order before walking over there. Carton vs. Pack. 100s vs. Shorts(Regulars). If it's something ambiguous or unusual then ask or get someone to show you
OTHER
The job might suck, but try to always be on time. Never call off sick, if possible. Ask your manager if you can be put on the list to cover for others who DO call in sick. I've only called off on two days in the 4+ months I've worked, and want to keep that number as low as possible (One day I was sick, other day car broke down)
Try to get on good terms with other baggers, cashiers, your manager(s), and especially those up in HR. True to any job, I guess, though.
Actually work. Again, the job might be ****, but do your part, and maybe a little bit more. At our store most people start as a clerk and move up after a couple years, depending on how hard they work. So most people are only a clerk for a couple years before moving up to meat/seafood/deli/restocking/whatever (And then you get the shweet $.25 per quarter bonuses)
Talk to other people, whether it be the customers or the other baggers! I always chat with the cashiers and the baggers when it's a bit dead, but since I normally work weekends where it's very busy, there's never really a chance to.
This may just apply to our store, however if it seems like you're missing a break, or your break should have happened a while ago, ask the manager with the schedule. Sometimes they can run a bit behind, but don't ask them every day. For example, if I work a 6 hour shift I get two breaks. If I work 12-6, they will (most of the time) put me on break at 2PM and 4PM. Sometimes it'll be 2:30 or 2:45 and I just give a little "Hey is my break coming up"? This is probably better to do once you know your managers more, and usually they're really good about getting people on break on time.
That's pretty much it. Don't be worried about your first day, it's Kroger. If you're a part of the union, they normally can't fire you for pretty much anything unless you steal or something TBH.
Also, if bagging a ginormous order, just because it came in one basket, does NOT mean it will leave in one basket. For example, if a customer is pulling the basket away and pushing an empty one towards you, it's their way of saying 'It's full enough. You are done with this basket.'
If a customer has a large, super sized order, do not assume "they got this" if they have 3-4 people with them. You may be surprised they "don't got this" instead "YOUVE got this" and have a service out. Yes... It happens even with a group if 3-4. Ask always if they need a service out
Yep, just got an order a week ago that was $700. Completely filled two carts. It was literally overflowing, like I don't know how the **** he fit it all in one. He said he only shops every two months - no wonder.
There wasn't many duplicates but it looked like he took one of everything in the store.
Baggers are allowed to get cigarettes at your store? My store doesn't allow baggers to get cigarettes, even if they're of age. Only the cashiers are allowed to at my store.
That's odd. At our store baggers can get cigs and alcohol. Unless their underage.
We have baggers blow up balloons in floral in no floral person is there. The baggers say. "I don't do floral, it's not in my contract."
Our checkers say: " No kidding. But you DO blow up balloons. In floral. Soooo... I guess you DO work floral in a way."
Same as mega kitteh for cigs n alcohol, except for shopbacks by us (we don't do floral either). Anything damaged in liquor / alcohol that requires a trip to "the cage" in the back must be taken by someone of age, who notifies MOD to have it locked up. Underage UCs can face liquor / depts if asked to and do all other tasks, except garbage / bailing / cigs / liquor shopback n scanning.
The only way to get cc's to cover floral us if you have your store manager make them do it. That's what we do. We do not give a rats ass if they say "they don't do floral." Balloons are in floral, so guess what? You "do" floral. As long as it's not flowers. Even our union guy came in during a meeting and said cc's CAN do baoons in floral as long as it's just balloons. So the excuse of "I don't do floral" just went bye bye. (Within reason)
