What is The Real Reason Michigan Menards Stores Have Turnstiles?

So you are going shopping at big box home improvement stores, Home Depot, Lowes for example. You walk right in and begin shopping, right? You probably know what you are looking for so you head to that department, no problem.

But at Menards, it's not quite that easy since you have to walk through a turnstile. It's not a very big deal but it slows you down a bit. And, when you are leaving you go through another turnstile.

What's up with the turnstiles? Nobody else uses them?

Are they counting traffic? Well, yes, but there is a lot more to it.

Menards is a good old Midwestern store, originating in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and founded in 1960 with its first store opening in 1964. Now they have 351 in 15 states.

But it's those turnstiles that confuse many. The reasons are simple our sister station, MIX 108 found out.

The main reason is that it helps cut down on shoplifting (and the folks in this Reddit thread seem to agree)! So many things walk out of these stores without being paid for and the cost of that is added on to pricing throughout a store, so it's a win-win, stopping shoplifters and saving some dough! Also, when you do leave a Menards store you have to walk through a cashier lane. Smart idea!

Menards also figured out that turnstiles are good overall for security, MIX 108 says. People have to go through a central, controlled point and that makes stores safer.

And, of course, they are used to count traffic - though ALL stores count customers, just not in the same way.

So there you go. Now you'll sleep better at night!