The article makes several bold statements and cites zero sources. I don’t see any reason to believe it.

Whenever I visit a grocery store that requires a phone number for member number it’s (area) 867-5309

At least there was some structure. During mass layoffs at my last job all meetings were canceled. Everyone had to sit in their work pens until their manager came and got them for their individual layoff/HR meeting. After years of that every few months I gave up hoping it would eventually be me so I could get out of there. Ultimately had to chuck it in the fuck it bucket and quit. Good riddens.