Category: Profitability

Often various trends and conditions can signal that profitability problems exist and should be both recognized and rectified.

While such conditions are numerous and can vary by company, here are a few factors that can signal that significant profitability problems either exist or are impending:

• gross margins are (inexplicably) declining
• industry sales are falling faster than anyone anticipated
• price is becoming more of an issue with customers
• opportunities for profitable growth aren’t apparent
• existing product (or service) sales are (continually) less than expected
• new competitors are successfully entering the market
• loss of market share (especially if unexpected)
• company sales lag those of industry peers
• sales decline despite price cuts
• for new products, unforeseen price cuts are needed

Often, these factors can serve as “early warning indicators” if they are recognized quickly.   If they are recognized and properly addressed early enough, not only can further problems be avoided, but the resolution of such impending profitability problems may better position the company for increased sales and profitability.

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StratX, LLC (stratxllc.com) is a management consulting firm and strategic advisory that focuses on the analysis of current and future business conditions, and offers corporations and businesses advice, strategies, and actionable methods on how to increase revenue and profitability.

Margins, profitability and “value” in the fast food industry are issues that are becoming increasingly prominent.

A Wall Street Journal article of May 8, titled “McDonald’s, Wendy’s Battle for Value-Centric Customers” contains additional information concerning various issues including those concerning price affordability and price competitiveness.

Notable excerpts include:

McDonald’s Corp. and Wendy’s Co. are struggling to attract cost-conscious consumers who are demanding better deals than even these low-price fast-food chains offer.

also:

Fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s may seem like they would be resilient in this tough economy, but consumers have come to expect $1 burgers, and more brands have jumped on the bandwagon, with chains like Yum Brands Inc.’s Taco Bell and Arby’s Restaurant Group testing out new value menus.

also:

McDonald’s last month reported weak earnings growth for the first quarter, saying it is sacrificing profit margins by focusing on value menus to avoid losing customers.

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StratX, LLC offers the above commentary for informational purposes only, and does not necessarily agree with the views expressed by these outside parties.

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StratX, LLC (stratxllc.com) is a management consulting firm and strategic advisory that focuses on the analysis of current and future business conditions, and offers corporations and businesses advice, strategies, and actionable methods on how to increase revenue and profitability.