LETTERs
Punch could be on to something
Regarding Punch trialling 24-hour ordering (MA, 25 October 2007), anything that can be done to enable tenants to avoid over-ordering and tying up stock has to be good.
It will, of course, be invaluable over the Christmas holiday period.
Will tenants be able to order for next-day delivery only once a week, or say
on several occasions to be able to take advantage of
a just-in-time-style of supply?
Being a cynic I assume that this premium service will, of course, come with a cost attached.
So more details are needed before Punch receive the full accolade I am afraid.
Ken Nason
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
Upselling could drive them away
I was interested in your article about pub customers spending less (MA, 25 October 2007).
There is only so much "brand advertising" and "up-selling" you can do to try to part your customers from their money before they get peed off and go to a pub where this doesn't happen.
Having recently visited a Greene King managed house where I ordered a round of drinks, I can vouch for how annoying over up-selling can be. Would you like a small or regular? With or without ice? House or premium? Any snacks, savouries or nibbles? Can I interest you in an upgrade for an extra £1 on this product? I only wanted four drinks!
I think the simple answer is to anticipate your customers' needs and ask questions where you think appropriate.
Jane Acott
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
Statistics can prove anything
Regarding "Pub customers spending less" - the figures were statistical nonsense!
The price differential could just as easily be explained by what customers think their visit will cost, against what it actually costs - in other words it could be caused by price variation between venues.
The conclusion drawn seems to be based on an assumption that customers set out to spend a set level of money, rather than consume an anticipated amount of goods.
Might it not be better to concentrate on quality or value for money, rather than wringing every last drop of cash out of your customers' pockets?
They will soon cotton on to this strategy and resent both it and you.
Charles Yaxley
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
Paying lip service to the smoke ban
With reference to your story on "Bud brewer reporting big pre-tax loss" (MA, 25 October 2007).
Can you believe it? Finally, a large company pays lip service to smoking bans, although the context is far from making a pointed statement.
This goes hand in hand with the fact that customers are not staying as long, or spending as much.
William McLeod
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
Following what the City decides
Your story about Anheuser Busch Europe reporting big pre-tax losses attracted my attention.
Maybe they should have their own estate of pubs to protect their volumes?
Well, I'm sure they'll
do whatever the city analysts think they ought
to do to protect their share price.
Chris Whirledge
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
European Court must rule on Sky
I felt compelled to write regarding "Group probes Sky European screenings" in last week's MA.
Surely the answer lies in getting this whole contentious issue to the European Courts as soon as possible.
Everyone knows Sky
is wrong, but until the highest authority passes judgement, just as with all big monopolies that bully and rip us off, the situation will carry on.
Chris Atkin
via morningadvertiser.co.uk
