Have a McHappy Day!
by vivianwl ~ February 10th, 2011. Filed under: Uncategorized.
The golden arch.
I wouldn’t say that I’m a complete loyal advocate of their mcfattening meals, but I won’t deny that I like the occasional Big Mac, medium fries, and large Coke (maybe throw in 6 pieces of McNuggets as well). It’s cheap, tasty, and extremely convenient. What’s more – their marketing strategies are amazing.
Take for example their recently new product: the Buttermilk biscuit.
FREE Buttermilk Biscuits: Brought to you by your local McDonald’s
The word “free” certainly caught your attention, didn’t it? Perhaps we can relate this as one of the psychological factors that influence consumer behaviour. Learning is one of the key factors, and by shaping, McDonald’s is capable of changing consumer’s attitudes towards their products.
To first introduce this new Buttermilk Biscuit, they offer a limited time offer of free taste trial, where any customer can enter a McDonald’s and obtain a free biscuit sandwich. Benefits for the customers definitely exceed costs, which may seem like a negative strategy for McDonald’s. However, this free trial period quickens the promotional effects of giving out “free food” to the public, and consumers will take the opportunity to try this new product. If they like it, McDonald’s may plan to promote large coupons to promote new customers into regular customers. Slowly, McDonald’s use smaller coupons until McDonald’s charges full price and still has a steady flow of customers purchasing the Buttermilk Biscuit.
As a matter of fact, I’m munching on this Buttermilk Biscuit sandwich myself. Let’s just say, its a little too oily, too fattening, and has too many crumbs from the biscuit for me to like it. But hey, it was free. Can’t say no to free food, can’t say no to McDonald’s.