45% of Respondents at Cache Stores think the Sluggish Economy is Hurting Sales

Cache, the swanky female apparel retailer, was surveyed by Tickermine research this week. This was after the company's shares fell on weak third-quarter guidance. We asked which clothing items sell best? Do you think the slow economy hampers your customer's spending? Which season is busiest at your store? Do you anticipate discounting items this summer, and are your customers repeats or newcomers? 33 stores were included in the poll. Summer dresses sell best according to this poll (cited by 24% of respondents). The Lurex Double Twist Top was cited by 21% of those polled and metallic jeans received 12% of the mentions. 55% of those we interviewed said their customers were unfazed by the economy. But 45% felt that economic woes negatively impacted their customer's spending. Spring was cited as the most popular season by 33% of those polled. Another 33% cited summer. Fall was mentioned by 18% and winter was the most prosperous season for 15% of those interviewed. 94% of those polled said they will certainly be putting items on sale the summer. Only 6% said they would not. And Cache customers are return customers, according to 70% of those we talked to. 15% said it is an even split between new people and returns and another 15% said their patronage is made up mostly of newcomers.

Half of Parties of Two spend Only $20-$30 at Chili's

Chili's Restaurants were the subject of our newest poll this week. Tickermine asked whether the location was older than a year? What particularly attracts your customers? How much does the average party of two spend? Are customers are flocking to the bar more than they are coming to eat? What is the most popular menu item? And has business been the same slower or busier than in previous months? 34 respondents at 34 locations were interviewed. We found that three respondents or 9% of those polled were at new locations. 91% said their locations were old. 44% said it was the atmosphere that attracted their clientele. 38% said it was a particular menu item. And 18% said it was the prices. A clean 50% of those polled said the average party of two spends $20-$30 per visit. 47% said they spend between $32-$45 and 3% said the average check for two was typically $55. 88% of customers were coming specifically to eat, apparently. But 12% said they were generating more business at the bar. 38% of those polled said that the Fajitas were the most popular menu item. 32% cited the Baby Back Ribs and another 9% mentioned the Big Mouth Burgers. None of this has done much to ramp up business however. 56% reported business just the same as previous months. 26% said it was slower. And only 18% reported business up from a few months ago.

Chuck E. Cheese's Birthday Customers Spending More on Games Than Food

During birthday parties, Chuck E. Cheese's customers spend more money on games (62%) than on food (38%). The average bill for a birthday party varies widely: 29% of Chuck E. Cheese locations said it's less than $100, 18% said between $100 and $150, 29% said between $151 and $200, and 21% said between $225 and $300. Half the locations polled said fewer than 50% of their customers are attending birthday parties; 47% said between half and three-quarters of their customers are there for birthdays. Pepperoni pizza is the most popular item on the menu, according to 56% of locations polled. Seventy-one percent of Chuck E. Cheese's locations are near other pizza restaurants; when asked how those restaurants' levels of business compared with Chuck E. Cheese's, responses varied.