It may be area related. Kohl's in this area keeps them at customer service on the counter, as does Wal-Mart, K-mart, & Target. Macy's, Boston Store/ Dillard's are strictly behind the counter. You also have to give them your car keys when you sign in to get a vendor badge. When you sign out, you get your keys back. It's their tracking method. I cleaned out my junk drawer and found keys for cars I no longer own any more and made up a nice looking set to give them. An old house key, a couple old rewards store cards. No way am I giving anyone the keys to my new car!
If you are already doing merchandising, look through the vendor book when you are are signing in.
The companies that I work for require polo type shirts ( something with a collar), Khakis, closed toe shoes. No tee shirts, sweats, jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, flip flops. The most demanding one is business casual, but a nice button down blouse, dress pants with pumps or flats work fine. I used to work for one that I had to wear a blazer for work, but they went out of business. But, they did pay really well. Sigh...