Comments for RetailWire

Comment on Can Chipotle Regain Its Reputation for Big Portions? by David Biernbaum

David Biernbaum — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:15:48 +0000

Chipotle will be better off to restore the larger portions even if it means raising prices. Another alternative would be to offer two sizes of each meal. But no one likes shrinkflation. All alternatives are better. Db

Comment on Will Assigned Seating Hurt Southwest Airlines? by David Biernbaum

David Biernbaum — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:13:21 +0000

After all these years, Southwest Airlines is making some excellent strategic changes. Assigned seating will play well with business travelers who never cared much for the cattle car race to get a decent seat.
In addition, Southwest will be offering a few rows with extra leg room. Again, business travelers will fly Southwest more often.
Occasional travelers don’t mind the open seating but Southwest is smart enough to realize that with all the business destinations they serve these days, it was time for change. Db

Comment on Can Chipotle Regain Its Reputation for Big Portions? by Kai Clarke

Kai Clarke — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:43:22 +0000

This is a rediculous issue for Chipotle management. Food costs are the least concern for their franchisees, and giving more generous portions will bounce back rapidly in higher customer loyalty and satisfaction. Not to take advantage of this opportunity to show current and future customers what generous food portions they offer, would be a huge marketing mistake for Chipotle. Increasing portions by just 20% would directly impact customer happiness, and give Chipotle a superior position in the fast food wars.

Comment on Will Assigned Seating Hurt Southwest Airlines? by Kai Clarke

Kai Clarke — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:37:15 +0000

Assigned seating is a realism that Southwest must finally accept. This is what their customers want, and Southwest knows that this is what should be done. The customer is always right and assigned seating is the reason Southwest needs to move forward to compete. On top of this, assigned seating allows Southwest the ability to collect other revenue streams (profits) for premium seating, premium boarding, and premium amenities (charging, WiFi, etc.). It also gives Southwest the ability to better define its loyal customers by offering them luggage upgrades, food upgrades, seat upgrades, boarding priority, etc. What is there not to like?

Comment on Should All Retailers Offer Instant Refunds? by Rachelle King

Rachelle King — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:07:43 +0000

Instant refunds will always be a customer favorite. There is no joy in waiting 6 weeks to get a refund for something that only took 6 minutes to buy. Yes, this would be a win for consumers, assuming they are entitled to receive the full refund.

Whether this is profitable for retailers remains to be seen as it is unclear from this article just how Reshop is making their profits. Still, there is an undeniable upside in the value proposition of any retailer who can offer instant, no hassle refunds. This alone is reason enough for retailers to consider this platform. Just with a more clear understanding on Reshop’s P & L.

Comment on Will Assigned Seating Hurt Southwest Airlines? by Brian Numainville

Brian Numainville — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:34:38 +0000

Only flew Southwest for non-business and it was a hassle to try to find seats together on family vacations. Never liked the mad dash for seats and I’m sure I am not alone. While it was a differentiator and maybe when introduced was a novel idea, I think it’s time to move on.

Comment on Will Assigned Seating Hurt Southwest Airlines? by John Lietsch - CEO/Founder

John Lietsch - CEO/Founder — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:20:26 +0000

I loved SWA “once” because it had better pricing and better service and because I didn’t have to fight through the piles of people that rush the gates the moment the first group of passengers is asked to board even though their boarding groups were years from actually boarding!

SWA was once the anti-airline (to me) and I appreciated the value (with a smile). I also greatly appreciated the humor. I wanted simple, no hassle, service at a great price and they delivered. And once they started offering the insanely inexpensive EarlyBird upgrade, it became a no brainer.

I haven’t flown SWA in ages mostly because the value is no longer there (for me). SWA has lost much of its “anti-airline” allure and, as pointed out by many others, their pricing is no longer a differentiator. I think that with this move they’re officially, just another airline.

This isn’t the thing that will save SWA but as long as they’re going to be like everyone else, they might as well charge like them.

Until the next SWA comes along…

Comment on Can Chipotle Regain Its Reputation for Big Portions? by James Tenser

James Tenser — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:19:00 +0000

Is this mainly a PR problem? A quick search ("does chipotle offer double meat") reveals a startling subculture of Chipotle customers who share hacks to get more meat in their burritos. Nobody is complaining that they didn't get enough rice. Interesting, since Chipotle already offers a "double protein" option on its menu. The upcharges are about 50% of the standard item cost. There are two ways for the company to address viral skimpy portion complaints, I think - consistent worker training and consistent portion measures. Both will impact guest perceptions as well as margins.

Team members can be trained (and occasionally re-trained) to incorporate accurate quantities of each menu element when they prepare a bowl or a wrap. Especially the main protein, which is the bulk of the ingredient cost. This will reduce the subjectivity of the serving process, but eyeballing it will not eliminate it.
Strictly controlled portions of the protein ingredient might be an answer, but ideally this should not LOOK like a measuring tool is in use. This may be accomplished by standardizing the serving spoons and the food containers. Is this already true? Then go back to team training.

Standardization is the hallmark of every successful fast food enterprise on the planet. McDonald's burger patties are precise down to their weight, fat, protein and water content. Panda Express workers actually count the shrimp in each container. When customers know what to expect and QSRs know how much margin they generate, mutual satisfaction will ensue. Chipotle should not relax its quality standards one bit. It would do well to remember not every customer arrives with the goal of getting stuffed.

Comment on Will Assigned Seating Hurt Southwest Airlines? by Melissa Minkow

Melissa Minkow — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:01:27 +0000

I always found the unassigned seats extremely stressful. I don’t know that changing this will automatically drive more purchases, though. At the end of the day, flight times and prices are driving consumers’ decisions more than anything.

Comment on Can Chipotle Regain Its Reputation for Big Portions? by Melissa Minkow

Melissa Minkow — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:58:46 +0000

Chipotle’s response to this has been fantastic. Variability is going to happen with any food/beverage chain. How the brand responds when consumers rise up says everything.