Controversy over the electrical outlet
In recent days, the online community has been stirred up by the actions of covering up power outages at some branches of The Coffee House coffee chain in Ho Chi Minh City. This immediately led to many conflicting opinions from the customers of this chain of stores.
In theory, customers can freely sit at the shops, enjoy their drinks and leave afterwards, as long as the shops are closed. However, this can only last when both sides benefit.
In fact, some customers who visit coffee shops to work and study are not very satisfied. They think this is an act of "swapping" by customers who intend to stay long, contrary to the friendly image that the brand builds.
Meanwhile, others were quite sympathetic to the action to deal with those who have been "sitting together" for too long, affecting the business process of the coffee shop chain.
In posts about the incident on social networks, netizens expressed disagreements about the decision of this chain of stores: "Doing so is no different from chasing customers to sit for a long time, boycotting", "The restaurant lacks tact when it is finished, if you don't want customers to sit for too long, you can order 2-3 hours/time", "Call a drink and sit all day, affecting both the restaurant and the seats of others"...
In response to the strong reaction from customers, the store chain representative officially spoke up about the incident, calling it "small adjustments to refresh the space".
Accordingly, the power sockets at some stores of the chain will be arranged in each area so that customers can easily choose a space that suits their needs for talking, relaxing or studying, working.
All changes are carefully planned, taking place in a short time and not affecting the remaining areas in the store. Other floors and spaces are still operating normally and are always ready to welcome guests as usual.
In addition, the chain representative affirmed that they will listen to customers' shares to make appropriate adjustments and support after making this change.
When restaurants are not only for eating
According to a survey by Lao Dong, some stores in The Coffee House chain in Cau Giay district, most of customers bring headphones and laptops when sitting at the restaurant.
Ms. Thao Nguyen (36 years old, Hanoi) is a freelancer, often going to coffee shops to work or meet customers instead of staying at home. She said: "When I come to a coffee shop, I mainly find a convenient seat with full sockets and Wi-Fi to work.
Spending 50,000-70,000 VND to buy a non-iningue drink, I think it is the amount of money to buy a comfortable, convenient seating space to do whatever I want, as long as it is not contrary to the shop's regulations".
Thanh Hoa (22 years old, Hanoi) brings a laptop to a coffee shop about 2-3 times a week. She shared: "Sitting at a coffee shop helps me feel less sleepy and more focused than sitting at home. There is food and drink, air conditioning, and when I have free time, I can chat with friends, making me feel like I can work, study, and relax comfortably."
Customers admit that sitting for too long will affect the restaurant's business operations. Therefore, it is understandable that the restaurant limits the sockets so that customers do not sit for too long.
"However, among many restaurants that do not limit customers, I will have to consider when choosing to go to this restaurant," said Ms. Thao Nguyen.
From the perspective of business owners, in an interview with Lao Dong, Ms. Thanh Huyen - the owner of a coffee shop on Nguyen Khang Street (Cau Giay) said that when doing business, it is inevitable that there will be many times when there are few customers. However, because customers have spent money to buy services, there is nothing to do.
"Customers sit for about 3-4 hours, rarely sit for more than 4 hours at the restaurant. In case the restaurant runs out of space, we have to refuse the next customer, because we cannot chase the current customer well," Ms. Huyen said.
Mr. Thanh Tung, owner of a small coffee shop in Chau Quy (Hanoi) shared: "Most customers only stay long at large coffee shops with comfortable seating, but the price is much higher than sidewalk shops, sometimes one and a half times, twice as much.
With small shops priced at 20,000-30,000 VND/drinks and moderate seating services, the shop rarely stays for long periods. Even when customers sit down, we are comfortable because just having a lot of customers is fun".
In addition to increasing prices or closing power outages to limit customers, in order to balance profits, many coffee shops design separate areas for customers to work with, collect fees or increase the value of orders by suggesting customers order more food, drinks...
Customers, if found reasonable, will proactively choose a suitable place. The owner of the restaurant also does not have to act as a "skillful" customer exchanger in the public's eyes. Regardless, whether buying or selling, customers or restaurant owners have the right to choose.
