What can the church learn from Walmart?

I have mentioned our family mantra before "If Walmart doesn't have it then we don't need it." I find myself shopping at Walmart a lot. This past week I visited other stores, but still finished up at Walmart and purchased what I was looking for. My Walmart experiences have always been interesting and I think there is a lot that churches can learn from Walmart.
For instance, when I arrive at Walmart there is always ample parking. Though I sometimes do not get to park right at the door, I never have to worry about not finding a parking place. I don't think having a visitor parking space would be applicable at Walmart, but I think it would be beneficial in a church parking lot. Does your church have visible parking spaces set aside for a church visitor? It may be one of the early signs that your church is interesting in making a visitor welcome. By providing the best parking spots you are telling the visitor, "we think you are special, why don't you take the best spot." In order for them to have that spot that means someone else needs to give it up. Parking is important and I suspect it is even more relevant here in Illinois when the snow and ice begin to appear.
Another interesting thing about Walmart is when I make my way into the front entrance of the store I am always greeted by a smiling person who is ready to assist me. They give me a basket, they assist me with my return and if I have a question they direct me to the right person. If I am lost they will point me in the right way. Does your church have adequate greeters when a visitor arrives? I am not talking about just greeters in the classrooms, I am talking about greeters at the various entrances to the church facility. One of the things we reinforced when I worked as a volunteer coordinator at a hospital wsa the importance of escorting people to where they needed to go. We never pointed or directed, but we walked with them to their desired location. By so doing we could talk up the hospital and be a friendly face to people that were afraid and concerned. The same principle applies to the church as well. When a visitor comes to the church, what an encouragement to be met by a smiling face that can escort them to where they need to be. They need to know where the children's classes are located. As the greeter escorts them to the children's classes the greeter can alleviate their fears and tell them how great the children's teachers are at the church. A greeter can calm their fears about leaving their children. They probably would like to know where their Sunday School class meets. Does the greeter know where to escort people? The greeters must be some of the most knowledgable people in the church and definitely the friendliest. They must be people persons. Of course it is always helpful to point them to the coffee. Even if they do not drink coffee they will be appreciative of the offer. Smiling informative greeters are essential to providing an inviting experience to the visitors. Someone once said that normally visitors make up their mind about a church in the first 7 - 10 minutes in which they visit. As a pastor that is not really encouraging, because I usually don't step into the pulpit until 30 minutes after the service begins. Their mind might already be made up before the preacher ever says a word.
Another important lesson about Walmart is that there are signs informing you of where everything is located. Actually the signs of Walmart begin even before you make your way to the store. It is not hard to locate a Walmart from the road as their sign can be seen from a large distance. How about your church sign? Is your church easy to find from the road?
But it does not stop at the store sign as it is fairly easy to shop at Walmart if you follow the signs. Of course if you do get lost there is always that smiling happy greeter to point you in the right direction. But the signs help us locate what we are looking to purchase. Here is the application for the church, does your church have ample signage? Are there signs telling people where everything is located? Signs outside of classrooms. Signs pointing to the children's building, to the nursery, to the restrooms and to the auditorium are essential to help people find their way around. I know you have those great greeters, but you still need signs.
Tomorrow I will continue the discussion on lessons from Walmart, but I would love to hear from you. Has Walmart taught you any lessons that can be applied to the church? I am eager to hear because maybe you have learned something I have not learned.