Lyft’s Post

Brits drank less over the New Year, but despite the start of ‘Dry January’, sales in 2024 have started robustly, industry data has indicated. Drink sales during New Year’s Eve were up 0.2% on 2022 figures, while New Year’s Day saw trading fall by 1%, research from the CGA revealed. However, in the following days (2 and 3 January) drink sales experienced a 4% and 13% year-on-year jump, respectively. Cold weather, shallower pockets, and the return to work for most meant that sales only grew by 5% on Friday 5 January. In the week’s build-up to Christmas average drink sales rose 9% year-on-year, with beer and cider jumping by 12%. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors http://ow.ly/IAix1058PNA

How do you price your product/service? Yesterday I was in Greggs buying some food and hot drinks. I ordered a chicken bake with tea and a sausage roll with coffee (a latte). The price was £5.55. That was good as it matched the day before 😀. Whilst waiting I glanced up at the menu boards and as they scrolled, I suddey had that feeling that I had missed out on an offer 😯. There were two deals. Both for exactly what I had. I quickly did the sums ready for the confrontation with the server. I practised in my head. But, my sums cane to £5.90 🤔. I checked and double checked. I took my things and left sharpish 🏃♂️. Supermarkets do this too. They make you think you are missing out with these offers but it's the opposite. They are more expensive! Could you implement this in your business? Would you want to? Perhaps it goes against your values. Let me know what you think in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ #pricing #ripoff #makemoremoney

This should be the mindset of a marketer

Stealthflation is in the news again. More secretive than straightforward inflation, stealthflation is putting through a price increase by reducing pack size. The size of Wagon Wheels has been a pub conversation for many years. Are they actually smaller now? Or is it the same psychology that makes police officers seem younger ever year 😁 But just as we thought core inflation was easing here’s another sneaky trick. Brewers are reducing the alcohol content (ABV) of their beers 😱 Beers like Carlsberg, Old Speckled Hen and now John Smiths have all seen their ABV reduced in recent months. With smaller sizes you can check how many bags of Walkers crisps there are in your multipack. But comparing the alcohol content of your beer to the same pint last year is nigh-on impossible. It’s saving brewers millions in duty. But guess who’s paying. It is of course a price increase by stealth. What other examples of stealthflation are you seeing? #stealthflation #priceincrease #inflation  

What’s a good price for a cup of coffee? It depends. Real life example from this weekend: I woke up and made myself an Americano. $0 out of pocket. $1 for beans bought last week. We went to the farmers’ market. Just one stall was selling lattes. $6 + tax + tip. We took a walk. La Colombe was handing out samples. Free. We popped into Target for a few things. $3.19 for a chilled cold brew. $5.99 for 48oz off the shelf. We finished our trip with ice cream at Jenny’s. $7 for an affogato float. So what’s a good price for a cup of coffee? It obviously depends on your context. Because value is contextual. This is true for almost everyone; almost all of the time. But almost everyone forgets this; almost all of the time. So it’s not obvious. It’s actually remarkably *not* obvious. So when people say you’re too expensive... Are you *actually* too expensive?  Or do you just need to sharpen your channel strategy? #marketing #sales #finance

Are a retiree or soon to become one? You may be starting to really look at the price of eating out and conserving your money. Recently I became more aware of prices at my local grocery store. One red onion that I purchased was $4.14 c. I was shocked when I looked at the grocery bill. I won’t make that mistake again. I need to be more aware of the prices. in kilograms, a red onion is .470 kg @ 8.80 /kg. totaled $4.14 c. Have you noticed how much prices have gone up on basic foods used in cooking? Do you take the time to figure out the prices, # of kg, grams, lbs,price per unit. It is a valuable skill to have.

Happy Monday and happy National Bavarian Cream Pie Day which recognizes a pie that makes a grand entrance. This rich and delectable dessert is possible, thanks to the French chef, Marie-Antione Carême. And in other news: in the world of #SupplyChain if you’re an #importer or #exporter then you need a partner who is going to keep you informed of what’s impacting the amount you pay international vendors and/or collect from your global sales.   Click on the link in the first comment below for this week’s currency market update.   #Importing

*** Guy's Wednesday Wisdom: Stocking up for Tomorrow's Parties*** This week's personal insight from our Managing Director in Asia. 🍷 "What to buy and when to buy, are important questions during the dip of any market cycle. I’ve always liked the idea of stocking up for tomorrow during the dips of today, particularly on large formats. In a bull market, you are almost guaranteed to over-pay on big bottles when you need them, be it a result of ‘last-minute’ buying or the general premiums for bigger bottles getting disproportionately bid up in the overall market frenzy. So take the chance while the market catches its breath and prices remain soft (for now) to plan ahead (just being organized will save you some $$$) and stock up for tomorrow’s parties because, just as sure as night follows day, there will be occasions to party again!" #bordeauxindex #finewine #winemerchant #winetrade #meettheteam #wineinsights #winereport

Want a Fire extinguisher sized beverage 🧯to cool down the summer heat? -Look no further! 🌞☀️ With scorching summer temperatures, it's not just ice cups and ice cream flooding the market—beverage brands are stepping up too. This summer, brands are focusing on cost-effective "super barrels" (吨吨桶). Naixue's "Watermelon Barrel," relaunched in 2022, immediately secured a top-three sales spot and sold 10 million cups in just five months in 2023. Similarly, 1.5L large barrels of iced Americano are trending, with netizens joking that they keep you awake from Monday to Friday. So, how will you leverage these trends? 📩 DM us to find out or email us at [email protected]. #SummerTrends #BeverageInnovation #MarketingStrategies #ChinaTrends #ChinaSkinny #Chinainsights 🌞🍉☕

Greggs has hailed easing inflationary pressures after the UK’s biggest bakery chain rang up bumper Christmas sales amid less travel disruption and enthusiasm for seasonal specialities such as festive bakes and chocolate orange muffins. The company said sales at established stores had risen 9.4% in the three months to 30 December as it attracted more customers with extended opening hours and by offering online ordering. Better weather and fewer transport strikes than in the same period in 2022 also contributed to growth, the chain said, as did higher prices on some items – although at a lower rate than earlier in the year. A person holding a plate with a baked glazed ham above a festive table loaded with other dishes and deserts Extending its ranges had also helped sales, it said, with festive bakes, chocolate orange muffins and Christmas lunch baguettes “in high demand”, while pizza sales continued to perform strongly. The strong Christmas topped off a good year for the Newcastle-based business, with sales rising by almost 20% to £1.8bn in the year to 30 December as it bounced back with the return to high streets after the coronavirus pandemic. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/48NJbz5 The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network is here to support your business - reach out to share your views, concerns and opportunities. #SCCnews #businesssupport #businessnetwork #businessvoice #businessleader Sign up for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce enewsletter at https://buff.ly/3CpsQnu