The merchandising company is responsible for you in the client store. You must sign in, connect with a manager, visit back rooms, and be in non public areas of stores. Bringing someone with you is a big no no and you could be escorted out by security and have the merchandising company lose its contract.
Merchandising works best when you have trust with the store management and employees. You are there to work as an employee of the merchandising company and are a guest in the store. If you must bring someone - have them shop while you work. The stores see all the reports you submit and are graded by their adherence to corporate standards as well as the product manufacturer who paid to get their product front and center to their specifications.
~~*~~*~~*~~ kal ~~*~~*~~*~~
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.