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252 points nivethan | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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larusso ◴[] No.44419410[source]
I still run the theory that Apple has actors on staff to just “be cool at the Apple Store”. I once went into the local store during daytime in summer (my lunch break) to pick up an order. There was a very attractive young woman dancing next to the headphones seemingly testing out a pair of AirPod Max. And the rest of the store was also filled with strangely attractive persons. I wasn’t able to verify my theory because I have a work life and don’t happen to walk by an Apple Store during working hours. But in my mind I believe it would totally be Apple if they hire extra cool folk to make the store feel more hip and not empty.
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DecentShoes ◴[] No.44419581[source]
They definitely do this in bars. I've had friends that got recruited thru modelling agencies. It's not a huge stretch to think of them doing it in other types of retail too.
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astrange ◴[] No.44419640[source]
What bars have that kind of margins? I know most restaurants don't.
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muzani ◴[] No.44420211[source]
Bars usually have a whole funnel around getting more women in. Whether it's free drinks, quiz nights hosted by cute girls, the bouncer thing where they filter out some people.

We once had a guest lecturer who broke down the ROI of making the ladies bathrooms beautiful (but not the men's). Presumably it leads to more alcohol consumption, which is where the margins are. I think restaurants in the UK make almost no money on the food itself.

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1. throwaway173738 ◴[] No.44425316[source]
This is true of restaurants everywhere. The reason they always ask you what you want to drink and if you want dessert is because those things have margins that can turn their night from red to black as a business. The food in most places is a draw so you’ll drink and then buy cake.
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2. muzani ◴[] No.44431096[source]
Not the case in Muslim countries and I guess developing countries, lol. Developing countries have very low labor costs.

In some places, the drink is the loss leader. A group of people head out to a place and pay the minimum - a $0.50 cup of tea. One of them will buy a basket of snacks for the group. Someone in that group might order the food. A plate of noodles or naan is nearly free in terms of ingredient costs.

Sometimes it's the atmosphere. I'm not sure if other countries have this, but there might be a major game on TV - football, wrestling, etc. Not everyone can afford to watch it at home, so everyone goes to a cheap restaurant. Sometimes the people who do have it at home just go to hear the cheers.