ORILLIA KIWANIS CLUB
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The Kiwanis Club of Orillia was delighted to be joined at their latest lunch meeting by Ken Walker, Meat Manager of Costco Orillia.
"Costco is a good employer and a good corporate citizen," said Walker.
Walker started with Costco at the Barrie store, moving to various stores in a number of capacities, and finally being called upon to open and close stores. He is very conversant in all aspects of the running of a Costco warehouse.
He talked about how the first Price Club started in a warehouse hangar in San Diego. Price Club merged with Costco in 1994.There are now more than 700 stores around the world, including 11 in Australia.
Costco is one of the few corporate employers that pays benefits to its part-time employees. The company focuses on maintaining a 50/50 balance of full-time versus part-time staff members. Pay scales are well above minimum wage.
Employee retention is also a key business strategy, and there are various employment programs and opportunities to encourage that, including a Student Retention Program that keeps summer students engaged for potential future employment.
The company's “Coach, Teach and Train” program is a core philosophy that focuses on promoting from within. The current Vice President of the company started as a driver with the company.
Last year, for the first time, Costco felt the impact of online shopping. Walker noted they have to figure out how to adapt and compete going forward.
One of the key challenges they face is weekend staffing. About 60% of their business is conducted Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and it is difficult to find people who will work those shifts, particularly in the younger demographic.
It might surprise some to find that the local store has a partnership with The Sharing Place and Salvation Army whereby it donates perishable goods each day to those organizations - items such as baked goods, produce, meat, dairy. Even expired dog food is donated—to the OSPCA that is.
Club member John Mayo thanked Walker for speaking to the club. It appears that, along with providing an interesting shopping experience, Costco is a valuable asset to our local community as a fair employer with a strong social conscience.
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