How big do you think a meat market should be. I have work markets from 16k to 120k. I think once we go past 40k we lose contact with our customers, it's hard to keep the friendly close customer relationship you have with people. An demand on keeping a big market going takes away from the time you would have with them. the reason I think this is because I have also worked markets where sales went up over 40k and after you get up around 50 to 60k you no longer see many of your old customers, they have left to go to smaller stores.
I have worked small markets (20k-40k) Mid Markets (40k-80k) Large Markets (80k and up) and have never lost sight of who signs my check. I actually disagree with you and have to say that as the market grows you actually have better contact with the customer. There is more help in a large market. That help can spend more time with a customer because there is other employees to take care of other customers As a Manager I can also spend time with customers because I am not tied to the block like I am in a small to mid market
also as the market gets larger the meat actually gets fresher. No cuts wait around for too long before they are scoffed up so more people come in as word gets out
It's a win to be in a larger market
__________________
Joe Parajecki
Operations Manager/ Partner
Kettle Range Meat Company, Milwaukee WI
Member Meat Cutter Hall of Fame and The Butcher's Guild
I guess everyone has their preference, I have meet people that want a one or two person shop because it's quiet, but then you end up doing everything yourself with little to no help. If you have good staff to work with, things can go very well
this something I can relate to, about a year ago we began to get new customers in our meat shop, when talking to them a few of them told they got tried of not being able to get waited on in the bigger stores. so I guess their may be some truth to what cutter says but also I look to the fact these stores here may have had help that hides
-- Edited by littlebit_of_pleasure on Sunday 20th of November 2011 11:44:32 AM
