Quantity vs Quality

[Space Samurai]

I'm talking about sales.

I was running some numbers today, and it turns out that there are only two stores in the company beating me in tea sales (both in Austin). I was curious what they were doing different, so I pulled up their sales. It turns out all of their top sellers are Lipton or Tetley or Luzianne, all stuff I deamed to low in quality to bother with.

Now, do I stick to my standards and keep pushing quality tea (well, the best qualtiy you're going to find in a grocery store), trying to encourage customers to make the switch, or do I sink to their level and burry the mother-*freak*?

I was auto-edited, wow, didn't know teachat did that.

[brandon]

I voted for quality, if you can take the moral high ground and say forget Lipton, I applaud you. What they sell as tea seems to me to be dishonest.

Some people are probably intimidated by loose leaf tea, and are happy to leave with teabags. Are you selling anything like Stash teas of India / China / Japan, or even higher grade pyramid bags? This gives people a chance to try above average teas without much stress.

[Chip]

LOL...the auto edit was put in just for you. Space.

Can't you have your cake and eat too. Most of us drank some kinda bag before we made the leap to looseleaf. When they go to pick up the cheap stuff, they might see the good stuff and give it a try.

[Ed]

I agree with bhale. I think some good quality pyramid teabags are perfect for noob's. And then some good loose leaf for the higher end consumers should satisfy everyone. Luzianne is just awful...

[ABx]

While I would generally say quality, you might think about carrying some of the crappy bagged stuff to get them in the store, then you can offer them something better when you see them.

[Wesli]

Definitely definitely definitely quality.

The only reason to go for the cheaper stuff is if you're going to profit from it.

[Chip]

Somebody has to provide dust bags to the masses, why not space? But selling both...sells a lot, yet he keeps his digniTEA.

[CynTEAa]

Are they beating you by a lot, Space? Or by a little? How many stores total? Are the other stores who aren't beating you also selling those inferior teas? What else do we know about the Austin specialty grocery customer? Hmmm....

My initial reaction of course is to stick to your passion, but there may be more to consider. Need more data!

[Space Samurai]

Thanks for the feed back.

They're beating my by enough, and no, none of the other stores that I am currently spanking carry the cheap stuff.

I was wondering what people would think, but unfortunately, as tempting as the high road is, its business, and I gotta do whats best for the store, ie: what's best for sales.

It's okay, I'll make space by taking it from Cellestial Seasonings and Bigelow.

As for in between brands, we do carry stuff like Stash, Mighty Leaf, and Teance.

[CynTEAa]

Makes sense to carry the lesser teas. Many loose tea shops carry Earl Grey, Irish and English Breakfast blends for the same reason. They are approachable and the customer knows what to expect from them. Hopefully, once they see your store as a reliable source, they will become more adventurous. Many stepping stones make a path...


Good luck!

[Mary R]

I voted for quality, and I whole-heartedly believe that you should definitely keep educating the tea masses. If the unexpected marketing I saw in Florida is any indication of a national trend, quality tea is going to get bigger in 2008. (Woo!)

At the same time, when it comes to business...the money is green no matter what the product is. And there's something to be said for the 'gateway drug' potential for Lipton. I don't think you'll lose your inTEAgrity for pandering some dust alongside your worthier wares...you're just catering to your consumer and there's nothing wrong with that. Unlike the other stores, however, you'll also be offering options to enlightenment, and that will give you a unique niche.