Aisle

Aisle

n. An open lane, possibly bearing a name, letter, or AISLE NUMBER on an overhead sign, that runs between or alongside SHELVING or other DISPLAYS and is sufficiently wide to allow CUSTOMERS to pass by one another while pushing SHOPPING CARTS as they conveniently peruse a variety of ITEMS for SALE.

Aisle Number

Aisle Number

n. A numeric or possibly alphabetic designation identifying a specific AISLE in the STORE.

NOTE: Aisle Numbers usually increase from right to left as you face the BACK of the STORE. This is surely because most people turn right as they enter, and work their way around in a generally anticlockwise fashion.

In my STORE we're always referring CUSTOMERS to “aisle number 0, which has no number,” in their quest for peanut butter and jelly, bread crumbs, stuffing mix, and so on.

Aisle Signs

Aisle Signs

n. Large hanging signs positioned above both ends of most (but not all) AISLES, and which prominently display the AISLE NUMBER, the STORE'S logo, and various slide-in directory components that identify some of the categories of ITEMS available at the end of the AISLE where the sign is hanging. For example, “SOUPS,” “CONDIMENTS,” “SALAD DRESSINGS,” and so on.

NOTE: It's surprising how often you will be asked “WHERE IS...?” for something listed on the sign right above your head. Just smile and point them to the ITEM, saying, for instance, “Right here!”

Aisle Stack

Aisle Stack

n. PRODUCT or CASES of PRODUCT STACKED free-standing in the AISLE, typically placed on a diagonal in front of it's usual SPOT on the SHELF with a GOOSE-NECK SIGN HOLDER. —v. To make such a STACK.

NOTE: Grocery may occasionally have Aisle Stacks and other DISPLAYS in various other DEPARTMENTS; for instance, garbanzo beans in Produce near salad greens, stuffing mixes in Meats, and so on.

Alarm

Alarm

n. 1. A device for producing an audible and/or visible signal that something is potentially amiss: “Did you reset the door alarms?” 2. The signal produced by such a device. See ARMED.

NOTE: Naturally, any alarm that sounds needs to be immediately investigated. For instanced, there's certainly the potential of the usual fire alarms in case of fire, but there are also freezer alarms in case of problems maintaining proper freezer temperatures, and perimeter door alarms to signal unauthorized entry or exit, or to signal unauthorized use of devices like trash compactors, etc. Always alert the appropriate DEPARTMENT MANAGER and/or M.O.D. to what's going on right away and follow their instructions.

Anniversary Date

Anniversary Date

n. In the current year, the same month and day as an EMPLOYEE'S date of hire.

NOTE: Many things hinge on your Anniversary Date. For instance, vacation days don't roll over from one year into the next, so you have to use them up before your personal Anniversary Date—which is not to be confused with the calendar's year-end.

Armed

Armed

adj. A perimeter door or device ALARM in it's “on” or enabled state. That is, the ALARM is set to shriek both locally and at the main panel in the control room if any attempt is made to open the associated door or access panel without using the KEY—on the ALARM first, and then on the door: “Don't open that—it's still armed.” See ALARM. See also DOOR SEAL.

NOTE: Door ALARMS show no visible lights or other indicators when Armed, because Armed is their normal state—the way they're supposed to be. However, a small red light beside the ALARM'S activation KEY slot turns on when the ALARM is dis-armed, or turned off.

Now, at first it may seem backward that a red light means “go,” as in, “it's safe to go through this door,” and no light at all means “stop—don't”—at least until you pause to consider whom that little red light is warning about what.

In this case, “Who” is whomever is responsible for the door—which certainly includes you. However, that responsibility primarily falls on the DEPARTMENT MANAGER and/or the M.O.D. “What” is the risk of uninvited guests and/or theft or SHRINK.

So a red light really still means “Stop!” but the rest of the sentence is, “...Don't forget to turn this ALARM back on again!”

Asset Tracking Worksheet

Asset Tracking Worksheet

n. An unofficial BILL OF LADING worksheet; i.e., the paper form on one of the clipboards in RECEIVING where you write down anything and everything—such as BALES, PALLETS, MILK CRATES, etc.—that you've put onto the TRUCK. Also SHEET: “Don't forget to put that on the sheet!”

Associate

Associate

n. A nice way of saying, “any employee who is not a manager.”