They are actually taught about the products. Their first week is spent learning about the products. They have an app on those chunky ass phones they use for everything that quizes them and teaches them about all the different products in the store (not just the ones in their departments) Majority of the workers don't even know how to run a register because majority of them are just stockers/aisle workers (called hardside associates) them learning about the products doesnt end either, since there is always new stuff. But this doesnt mean they know every single corner of the store like the back of their hand. Maybe dont ask the paint girl what the best surge protector is, but you can ask her basically anything about the paint and either she or the other paint associates will know. For example the store I used to work at really tried to enforce us selling this one deck paint, but none of us did because the paint was made and tested in humid climates. When it was used in a high desert like my home is, it peels away like a nasty sunburn. Even our customers that were professional painters didn't know about that.
Most people don't enter a job with every bit of knowledge needed for it. Ask any construction worker, they had to train their new guys too. Unless the job is at a high level (aka requires a degree) everyone hired is more or less picked up off the street. That's kinda how entry-level jobs work, you know nothing and you are taught.
If you're in a hurry while trying to find something in the store, look for an employee with a ton of patches on their apron ring. Those patches are given to associates who received a bunch of good reviews from customers. Which means they'll probably know a whole lot about their department (also unless you have a super simple question like "can you mix this paint color?" Maybe dont ask the associate who has a blank patch. Those are the people who haven't even been there for 30 days yet. That's like asking the new construction hire to build a wall by theirself when they've only been taught how to shingle a roof. Of course they are going to be confused.)
All in all, this isn't to defend the company. Its a piece of shit company and I never want to work for them again. I just think you have a very biased view against the workers and it got my hackles raised. (I'm aware I also have a biased view of them since I was one of them.)
