We are down to two zone supervisors (hardlines and softlines), a backroom lead and the store manager. The only fultime positions in our store that are non-management are two positions in appliances and one position in hardware.
Softlines no longer has designated MCA's and cashiers, they are all "one" group, so the 1 or 2 people covering all of softlines will be working the registers almost 100% of the time. Straightening and restocking never gets done because of this. Meanwhile, one backroom associate will quite often have to unload a truck and run MPU all by themselves without any help, and that's on top of answering the SNCs for the web to store orders. Home improvement associates are expected to put all of their freight away and set planograms because the hardlines MCA only gets seven hours a week.
There isn't much left to cut in our scenario. The next thing will be the entire store. We barely make do with the people we have now. Having only one person at the CAC, backroom and the tools/lawn department--all by themselves for several hours--is the norm, even during 4th quarter. This is why sales are going to s--- worse than in years past. There isn't enough help.