Sambo,
Thanks.
The price increases and the rubbish in the press is not accurate.
We increase when subject to price increases in labour and food costs.
Many of these we absorb during the year.
It is also rubbish that we employ young kids and get rid of them when they turn 18 or 21.
Damn I spend all the time and money training them and would love to keep them. You don't need to look to far in customer service to see a good 25 year old crew person can beat two 15 year olds hands down. I have some great Mums working for me that are real workers - they are always cleaning up after kids at home. They will clean the area fully whilst the young crew are talking and wandering about..
Not to mention that the Mums are very reliable and not subject to hangovers, nights out with friends, lack of interest, sickies, parties, love tiffs, arguments with friends and better offers...etc...etc.
Our prices in my location, just increased under 1% and this is a part increase based on our customers numbers and their frequency of visits to the store.
This is the tiered approach that has been reported. Just a pity that the whole story was not given. But then again the full story would not be sensational and news worthy.
In some areas/regions stores have increased more as they have the customer base or more visits per customer.
Just happens that these areas and stores are considered by the media as lower socio - economic areas - the media reporters words.
Put simply, if you have a strong customer base you can increase a full 2 or 3% as you are able to absorb a slight drop off in customers that we experienced after a price increase.
Therefore, many of the higher volume stores went the full increase and the lower volume stores will run a tiered increase over the next six months.
And customers do drop off and sample other competitors and after realising they are not as good or more expensive they come back.
Mmmmm, hope it makes sense. I responded here as there has been a lot of inaccurate information and part stories in the media.
Bernie