1. If you don't know where an item goes, scan it using one of the many handy price scanners littering the store. It will give you an aisle number as well as the location within that aisle. Do not just take it to the backroom, people in the backroom are very touchy about anybody making their stockroom a dumping ground, particularly something from repush/gobacks. Don't overstock things either or you'll piss off the ctl. On occasion you'll have items that require numbers, these you can put back in guest services where you found them, but inform someone in charge that they are there. Those can be extremely difficult for someone that is still learning the store.
2. One morning when you go in ask your trainer to show you how to use the pda. For the most part the only functions you will be using are nop and upcs. Nop will function similar to the price scanners, but will include any other locations in the store. UPCS will tell you the actual price of an item based on any sales going on.
3. Memorizing the store only lasts until plano resets something so walking the store often or just stick to one area for a week or two to get a feel for it will help immensely. If you can pull a few shifts with the instocks team every week, you'll end up knowing the store a lot better than you might like.
4. Same as 3. Walk the store and try and own an area.
5. This varies but you can ask the person that set you to the task what they feel a good time to aim for is based on what is in the cart.
6. This may vary by store. At mine, anything defective that you find on the floor will go to a tote in guest services marked as defective. If for some reason you're pushing things with the truck team, anything broken that you acquire will go to wherever they keep their defect tub. If anything is leaking, chemicals juice, milk, etc, double bag it and zip tie it.
If you need anything in more detail then don't be afraid to ask your trainer questions, that is very much what we are there for. If your trainer isn't available than the person that gives you your daily task can be asked to explain things or to team you up with someone that can. Also when in market FIFO, first in first out, old product in the front new in the back and you'll have a consumables team lead on your side. Happy hunting.