By George Anderson
Norman Kagan may be 78-years old but he can bag groceries with the best of them.
Mr. Kagan is an associate at a Winn-Dixie in Florida and his presence on the job is making a difference for customers and store management.
Winn-Dixie co-manager James Baker told the Miami Herald that Mr. Kagan's outgoing manner is a marketing tool for the supermarket. "The customers like him. He's very outspoken, outgoing. He makes a lot of people's day."
Moderator's Comment: Two Questions--
- What changes will occur in the workplace as the average age of retail workers increases?
- What must retailers do to leverage the assets of this group while minimizing any downside associated with older managers and associates?
A growing number of senior citizens are finding second careers in retailing and, by most accounts, this has been to the benefit of consumers and employers alike. We do sometimes get the impression that some stores hire the "token" senior for appearance sake rather than gaining the full advantage of their life experience and work ethic.
Mr. Kagan only works 12 hours a week based on the report. From the sound of it, those 12 hours might be some of the most productive in the store. [George Anderson - Moderator]