Because management doesn't care about associates, associates don't care about doing a good job.
Customer already have a negative opinion of the company. So raising prices and cutting staff just causes their opinions to drop even more.
The later you start, the faster your earnings go up. I worked with a lady who had been with the company for 13 years making $10.40/hr. I was there 7, made $10/hr. Another lady? 3 years making $9.50.
There is too much expected, too fast, too small of a staff. The stores are running on bare bones because corporate cuts positions to save money, while raising prices (which is causing them to lose even more, but they don't seem to realise it).