Post Covid, in-store shopping is almost unrecognizable compared to what it used to be before the pandemic.

Don't get me wrong, many great local shops still offer a personable experience and helpful service, and I shop with them whenever possible.

However, the shopping experience has become increasingly lackluster at big box stores.

Big Box Stores In Montana

This last weekend, I popped into our local Home Depot hardware store to grab a tool.

It wasn't a terribly expensive tool—maybe $50—but I was shocked when I got to the section with all the power tools.

Literally, everything was locked up!

Why Everything Is Locked Up In Stores

It is not new to have expensive tools locked up at a hardware store; they've been doing this for years.

But now everything is locked up in that section.

Maybe I'm just naïve, but this move seems excessive in a state like Montana.

What bothers me the most about the situation is that these major retailers have eliminated staff and introduced self-checkout.

They're making buying the products you want or need more complicated.

How is this business model even sustainable?

Who on God's green earth will walk out of the store with a massive box under their arm without paying?

I'm sure this happens in other cities, but I can't fathom that this is a big issue in Great Falls, Montana.

Is it just me, or does it seem like many of these major retailers don't even want their customers in their stores anymore?