That Samsung thing is annoying and maybe counter-productive for them.
Pre-COVID, I went to a BestBuy for a specific Samsung microSD. Looked all over the flash memory and they didn’t have it, despite it showing in-stock online. Now, because I needed it, I asked for help, employee sighs and walks me over to flash area, we don’t find it. I show them my phone and they realize “oh, that’s over in the Samsung section!” What the hell?
Keeping some SKUs separate may be annoying, but the employee not realizing that until you showed your phone is not an insurmountable problem. Some training and/or an internal memo and the next person in looking for that item will be directed properly.
I'm sure the next person will be directed correctly, provided they bother to ask.
I think more common will be someone will find the flash area and buy a non-Samsung part than it will be that someone
will find the Samsung area and being torn between buying a television or some flash storage.
Fixing it so shoppers can serve themselves effectively seems more beneficial for shoppers and BestBuy than fixing it so employees can more effectively cover over the inability to self-serve.
Pre-COVID, I went to a BestBuy for a specific Samsung microSD. Looked all over the flash memory and they didn’t have it, despite it showing in-stock online. Now, because I needed it, I asked for help, employee sighs and walks me over to flash area, we don’t find it. I show them my phone and they realize “oh, that’s over in the Samsung section!” What the hell?