Under the epidemic, the catering industry has become more and more difficult to operate, and the cost of ingredients has become very volatile due to the broken logistics chain. The ban on dine-in banning has also damaged business. Even Xu Liushan, who is famous for the first mango fishing product, closed at the end of November last year.
However, in this environment, how do sugar water shops, which have always been considered to have high gross profit, operate?
The reporter of "Hong Kong 01" learned from the ultra-low price takeaway fruit juice shop and chain dessert shop "Manji Desserts" how to operate under the epidemic.
Whether it sells fruit juice drinks within ten yuan, or a bowl of sugar water for more than 30 yuan and 40 yuan, it is difficult to increase the price.
The juice shop on the third floor of Kwai Chung Plaza is touting the price of fruit juice. The most famous product is the “Mango Yew” series of drinks starting from 4 yuan and increasing to 10 yuan. The boss admits that he developed it with reference to “Xu Liu Shan”, and he is very impressed with Xu Liu Shan’s graduation. It is a pity that the low price of drinks was only maintained because of the competition in the same field, "because I dare not invite anyone." When asked if he would increase the price because of the expensive goods, he sighed, "I want to increase the price every second."
In addition, the spokesperson of "Man Kee Desserts" rarely shared that in recent years, to catch up with the trend to create new products, the owner himself maintains the quality, and the location is accurate to achieve "healthy operation".
(The Year of the Tiger Inflation Special Series. 3)
Kwai Chung Plaza, which has always offered cheap snacks, the juice shop on the third floor also sells cheap juice shops. The most famous product is "Mango Coconut Milk West", which sells for only a few yuan. The owner, Mr. Zhang, said that his father referred to Xu Liushan's production method. The "Mango Coconut" series of drinks have been developed and sold for 20 years.
(Photo by Liang Huanmin)
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Year of the Tiger Inflation Special Series.
1｜One brother's baked pork rice has doubled the price in 20 years, why didn't it cause the slut to fight the poor during SARS
Year of the Tiger Inflation Special Series.
2｜The price of Chao Lay's potato chips has increased by 22% in half a year, and the price of Knife Mark peanut oil has increased by nearly 9% in the same period. The last Hui Lau Shan in Hong Kong closed quietly at the end of November last year. It's a pity that few people are there.
Kwai Chung Plaza, which has always been popular for cheap snacks, the juice shop on the third floor also sells cheap juice shops. The most famous product is the "mango coconut" series of drinks that sell for only a few yuan. The owner Mr. Zhang said that his father referred to Xu Liushan's Production Method The "Mango Coconut" series of drinks have been sold for 20 years and have been loved by many students and neighbors over the years.
On the day of the interview, there were not many people in the mall, but many people would buy a glass of fruit juice, and it is not bad to buy a few glasses in just 5 minutes.
Xu Liushan could not escape the fate of graduation. Mr. Zhang also said that the juice shop has experienced a peak again and is now at a low point.
"A few years ago, the good environment was really good. It only sold 500 cups of the ""Mango Coconut" series of drinks.
Many Kwai Fong neighbors also know that since the store opened, the price of the “Mango Yew” series of drinks and some drinks has gone from the original price of 3 yuan to 4 yuan.
The juice shop on the third floor of Kwai Chung Plaza, the most famous "Mango Coconut Milk West" has been increased from 4 yuan to 5 yuan in recent years, due to the increase in rent and the price of incoming goods, it has increased to 10 yuan a cup, and the juice with the lowest price in the store, Still available for $8.
(Photo by Liang Huanmin)
Zhang lamented that the materials are expensive but the competition is huge, and the operation itself is already difficult.
He said: "It's hard to stop when it's sold out. I think about increasing the price every day, but there is a shop opposite the shop 'Taiwan' who raises the price and customers leave. This year, the price of a box of fruit is more expensive than a box. I can’t keep up with the price.” Zhang also said that during the peak period, only 500 cups of the same hot-selling drink could be sold, but now there are more and more people, and the number is only half of that at the time, that is, more than 200 cups.
Zhang pointed out that the current price increase to 10 yuan is a last resort. He explained that under the epidemic, the arrival of fruits from various places is unstable, and the price is high and low, which makes it difficult to operate.
"Mangoes and watermelons are different for each box. Today, 20 mosquitoes are added to a box. I heard that there are 10 more mosquitoes in the day. How much more is it to order?" In addition, under the epidemic, the flow of people in the shopping mall was too fluctuating, and it was deserted and crowded for a while. I can hear the black flies flying by during school hours, it’s so hard to make a lot of money in my land book, sometimes I can buy half of the usual amount at once.”
He mentioned that many competitors have joined the competition over the years, and most of them have left in the middle of the competition. There is still a juice shop operating this year, and the competition is fair. Since the price ranges from 4 yuan to 6 yuan, it attracts many students in the district to help.
Zhang sighed that the materials are expensive but the competition is high, and the operation itself is already difficult. It is absolutely difficult to recruit helpers and will "can't do it". "If it's hard to sell, then stop. I think about increasing the price every day, but there is a shop opposite" Fighting against Taiwan' As soon as the price increases, customers will leave. (Photo by Liang Huanmin)
There are many juice shops and beverage shops in the market, and the price of each cup is at least 20 yuan, but the juice shop in Kwai Chung Plaza can still be "10 mosquitoes to find".
Zhang explained: "You see that I'm busy with only a few people, and I don't need to add any more staff. I only carry the most basic labor, and I can maintain the price until the cost is enough. If the price of Southeast Asian fruit is increased, it will be difficult for me. Maintain." When asked if the price would remain below 10 yuan, Zhang smiled and said, "If people (opponents) add us, they will increase it. I hear that I already want to increase the price, but it should be impossible not to maintain it!"
The 26-year-old "Man Kee Dessert" still has 11 branches. It is a relatively large-scale dessert shop in Hong Kong. All the branches are operated by five owners. The spokesperson shared his experience and said that it has been able to maintain stable operations for many years, mainly because Several bosses work low-key and have the same goals.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Tangshui is not a staple food, and the good or bad of the market may affect the sales. Some people choose to focus on one store for small profits but quick turnover for many years. In addition, there are also traditional chain sugar water stores that still maintain the business model of centrally processed food.
"Man Kee Dessert", which has been in business for 26 years, still has 11 branches. It is a relatively large-scale dessert shop in Hong Kong. All the branches are operated by five owners. The spokesperson shared his experience and said that it has been able to maintain stable operations for many years, mainly because Several bosses work in a low-key manner and have the same goals. Most of the time they stay behind to develop desserts and maintain the quality. In addition, the branch chooses no similar sugar water stores, and less competition may also be the way to success.
A spokesperson for Man Kee Desserts said that the biggest challenge in running a sugar water store is maintaining quality, maintaining rent, manpower and food costs. It seems to be famous for both soup balls and sesame paste, and many times you can see at a glance that the heat is the same or not enough, and if you don’t, it will fall off.” (Photo by Zhang Haowei)
The biggest challenge in running a sugar shop is maintaining quality, maintaining rent, manpower and food costs.
The spokesman said that several bosses would take turns visiting the central factory to learn about the quality of the sugar water, "Every day you have to see how well it is cooked, like the famous soup balls and sesame paste. If you have it, it will be gone.” He will occasionally go to the store to ask customers for opinions, fearing that the taste will change.
"When he knew that there were regular customers coming, he would definitely ask for his opinion."
Earlier purple sweet potato desserts and taro balls have become popular in recent years, and Man Kee has also joined the “Battlefield”. The spokesperson said with a smile, “We have to keep up with the trend, and it’s boring to have no new food menus…” But I know many customers What I care about is whether the quality of its traditional sweet water will be lower than that of the Saigon store many years ago. In addition, the sweet water store is located in a shopping mall or ground floor without competitors, which is a model that has been in operation for many years.
Taking Manji as an example, according to the price target in 2016, the price of red bean paste alone is 21 yuan on the same day, and it will increase to 27 yuan by the end of 2021, which is about 1 yuan per year, and other types of sugar water are roughly similar.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
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However, regardless of whether it is a take-out sugar-sweet drink shop or a large-scale sugar-shui store with a seat, the price increase seems to be very similar in recent years due to cost and other reasons. Sand, it was 21 yuan on that day, and it will increase to 27 yuan by the end of 2021, which is about 1 yuan per year. One dollar a year, whether it is a small store or a chain store, the price increase is similar.
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