Half off usually unaffordable products?Only $49.99 for that $100.00 dinner?That’s the magic of Groupon,but for some small business owners the “great business” offered by Groupon can be equal to the kiss of death.How could that occur?
The math of Groupon seems simple at a glance,but upon further inspection the numbers don’t add up when it comes to smaller businesses.A Groupon typically offers a 50% discount on a product or service;then the remaining profit is divided between Groupon and the small business.While Groupon has already received the profit in advance,the merchant is left waiting for their cut.Those worrying numbers are assuming the price cut is 50/50,which,in some cases,is being generous.
When you break it down to numbers,a Groupon deal seems disastrous,but it’s not only the numbers small business owners have to worry about.The point of Groupon deals is to attract new and hopefully long term customers.Yet,does this actually happen?The majority of consumers buying the Groupon are there for the bargain and don’t return after using their Groupon.CFHS Junior Angelita Pope stated,“I love the deals offered by Groupon!They can really save you so much money.”However,she went on to say that she hadn’t returned once to any of the businesses after using her Groupon.
For some small businesses,the pressure lies with the responses of their loyal customers,who watch as new faces get the same product or service for half the price that they have been paying for years.When you break it down,Groupon indicates that the business offering the deal is not only willing to be flexible with their price,but also that their product or service isn’t worth the price they’re charging for.When combining these factors,it’s no wonder loyal customers are put off by the idea of their favorite shop offering Groupons.
Now I by no means say Groupons have bad effects on all businesses;however the storm of Groupon is actually a disaster for a small business.
1. What is good about Groupon?| A．It can offer a large discount. |
| B．It helps add up the numbers. |
| C．It can improve the quality of the product. |
| D．It brings small business owners more profit. |
| A．small business owners needn’t worry about deals |
| B．people like using Groupon in the same business |
| C．the purpose of Groupon is to promote business |
| D．Groupon may not bring customers back |
| A．New faces. | B．Loyal customers. |
| C．Groupon dealers. | D．Small businesses. |
| A．A new business trend—Groupon dealing |
| B．The development of a Groupon company |
| C．The effects of Groupon on small businesses |
| D．A fantastic shopping experience—Groupon |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Shoppers in the UK are spending less money on toilet paper to save money, research has shown.
Penny saving UK consumers choose cheaper products from discounters such as Aldi and Lidi rather than expensive alternatives.
This has wiped 6% off the value of the soft tissue paper market in the UK. It has reduced from £1.19 billion in 2011 to £1.12 billion in 2015, according to a new report from market research company Mintel. Furthermore, the future of the market looks far from positive, with sales expected to fall further to £1.11 billion in 2016.
In the last year alone, despite an increase in the UK population and a rise in the number of households, sales of toilet paper fell by 2%, with the average household reducing their toilet roll spending from £43 in 2014 to £41 in 2015.
Overall, almost three in five people say they try to limit their usage of paper – including facial tissue and kitchen roll to save money. “Strength, softness and thickness remain the leading signs of toilet paper quality, with just a small part of consumers preferring more expensive alternatives, such as those with flower patterns or perfume,” said analyst Jack Duckett. “These extra features are considered unnecessary by the majority of shoppers, which probably reflects how these types of products are typically more expensive than regular toilet paper, even when on special offer.”
While consumers are spending less on toilet paper, they remain particular about it when it comes to paper quality. One in 10 buyers rank toilet rolls made from recycled paper among their top considerations, clearly showing how overall the environment is much less of a consideration for shoppers than product quality. In a challenge for makers, 81% of paper product users said they would consider buying recycled toilet tissue if it were comparable in quality to standard paper.
1. The market sales of toilet paper have decreased because ________.| A．its quality has seen marked improvement |
| B．Britons have developed the habit of saving |
| C．its prices have gone up over the year |
| D．Britons have cut their spending on it |
| A．It will expand in time. |
| B．It will experience ups and downs. |
| C．It will remain disappointing. |
| D．It will recover as population grows. |
| A．Consumers are loyal to certain brands. |
| B．Extra features add much to the price. |
| C．Special offers would promote its sales. |
| D．Consumers have a variety to choose from. |
| A．Environmental protection is not much of a concern when Britons buy toilet paper. |
| B．More and more Britons buy recycled toilet paper to protect the environment. |
| C．Toilet paper manufacturers are facing a great challenge in promoting its sales. |
| D．Toilet paper manufacturers compete with one another to improve. |
【推荐2】The Chinese are more likely to shop online than consumers from any other country, according to the latest survey by the International Post Corporation, a Brussels-headquartered association on postal services.
In the second annual study of 24,000 respondents in 26 markets across North America, the Asia-Pacific and Europe, the IPC found that 36 percent of Chinese buy from digital sites at least once a week, a frequency far outstripping peer buyers.
China is also the most popular market for consumers around the world to shop from, accounting for 26 percent of most recent cross-border purchases, followed by the United States with 16 percent, Germany’s 15 percent and the United Kingdom’s 15 percent.
Purchases from China are more popular with younger people and women, while purchases from Germany receive warmer welcome by men and the elderly, the international study found.
Online marketplaces such as Amazon.com Inc, eBay Inc and Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd were the most sought-after avenues for buyers from almost all countries, accounting for around two-thirds of all cross-border purchases, the study said.
The survey also indicated that clear information about delivery charges, free returns and free delivery over a particular value, were the most important drivers for cross-border online shoppers.
It found that consumers were more likely to pay a premium for tracking rather than for speed of delivery. They preferred to pay for delivery of a tracked item that took five to eight days for delivery than an untracked item that took three to four days.
About 70 percent of cross-border online shoppers were offered tracking and 88 percent used it, mostly in the interim stage, to check on delivery progress.
Almost three-quarters of shoppers used the post for their most recent cross-border purchases. Overall, 87 percent were satisfied with their delivery experience. Only 6 percent returned their cross-border purchase, mostly using the post for the return.
The survey also looked at consumer delivery experiences, finding that most cross-border purchases had free shipping.
1. Which of the following statements is Not true according to the survey?| A．Younger people and women from Germany are superior to men and the elderly in purchasing. |
| B．America is the second most popular market for worldwide consumers. |
| C．The Chinese consumers like shopping online best in the world. |
| D．The majority of cross-border purchases can enjoy free shipping. |
| A．delivery charges | B．the speed of delivery |
| C．free returns | D．free delivery over a particular value |
| A．Global Online Shopping |
| B．China, the Most Popular Purchasing Market |
| C．Chinese Top World’s Online Shoppers |
| D．Cross-border Purchases |
【推荐3】Shopping is a game with two teams—shoppers and retails (零售商). Here is the game plan you need.
Bargains and Impulse (冲动) Shopping Limit the number of stores you go to. The more “legwork” you put in, the more you may feel the need to “reward” yourself for your effort. Don’t make friends with the sales staff. The more you interact (互动) with the sales staff, the more likely it is that you will buy something. This is because you feel like you don’t want to let down someone who has helped you. Leave your credit cards at home. Research shows people are willing to spend more money with plastic than with cash. The less immediate the payment the more easily people will spend. At the Supermarket Slow down and double-check what you’re picking up. Stores can make sales very specific and confusing, such as placing a sign offering 50% off a 2kg ham wedged (嵌入) between the full-price 3kg ones. Shoppers could wind up grabbing the wrong one and paying full price. Don’t think when you buy in bulk (大批量) you’re getting a better deal. That’s not always the case. In the produce department, for example, individual capsicums are almost always cheaper than those in the multi-pack. Don’t buy something in bulk just because it’s on sale. The ten-for-$10 promotion is one of the most effective. This is what stores do to get volume out the door—even if they’ve raised the unit price to do it. Shopping Online Hide your cookies. Companies use online cookies (a piece of data from a website stored on your web browser that informs the site of related net activity) to target shopper with relevant ads, but they can also reveal information from your browsing history. Stick to budget-friendly sites to bump into lower offers. And use your browser settings to block third-party tracking cookies. Look online first. Even if you choose to shop in store rather than online, check sites with user reviews and ratings, such as amazon.com and cnt.com, to find products with the most positive feedback. If the highest-rated items are cheaper online, including delivery, ask the store to match the total price. Geo-blocking is what some multinational retails do to charge different prices for the same product in different markets. With a little more effort, you can get around geo-blocking. Apple, for instance, will let you shop in their US store by using US iTunes gift-cards that can be bought online. Play the Game to Get Instant Bargains Speak up! Not happy with the view from your hotel window, or the way the burger is cooked? Don’t be forced to put up with the poor experience, give honest, polite feedback and we’re almost certain you’ll be treated to what you expected—and paid for. Find better online actuation (驱动) deals. Misspelled it! One of the best ways to find great deals on eBay is via auctions (拍卖) that have misspelled words. For example, an “Xbox Connect” will often sell for less than an “Xbox Kinect” since fewer people search for the wrong version. Website FatFingers.com helps you find these listings. With thousands of items listed on eBay with spelling mistakes each year, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for at much lower prices. |
| A．follow their inner needs |
| B．try to visit as many shops as possible |
| C．pay in cash instead of by credit card |
| D．have a close relationship with the sales staff |
| A．blocking third-party tracking cookies |
| B．thinking twice before buying in bulk |
| C．buying products from other countries only |
| D．avoiding being trapped by spelling mistakes |
| A．tell them how to get a perfect bargain |
| B．show them the ways to save shopping time |
| C．warn them of the danger of the shopping game |
| D．teach them how to communicate with retailers |
