
Originally Posted by
FatherKnowsBest
The OP is correct, tiny changes can have devastating effect on other local businesses. I have a mate who owns a cafe near a college and he lost 50% of student customers from a simple change in the lunch hour. They made it 30 mins not 45, not quite long enough for most of the kids to come out for lunch, so they go buy something in the refectory or get a tube of pringles or box of jaffa cakes instead in the retail bit.
Disposable incomes are at a low for a generation. There are a huge number of people getting by on minimum wages jobs, or seen their pay capped off against substantial rises in food, utilities and childcare to name but three. While there are always people doing well, there are plenty who are just ticking over and paydays can't come fast enough.
I know everyone wants to maximise their revenue, and very few think of the impact on others. But its also important for any business not to be greedy and to spread the love around. We're all in this together...