BOUTIQUEUES

A queue-theory game
Paused Mon · Day 1 of 6 10:00 Week profit $0
ENTRÉE

    

      
      
      
      
    

    

  







  

    
Monday · Day 1 of 6

    
Morning ledger

    
The street expects 6.0 customers/hr. Doors open 10:00–16:00. What’s the play?

    

    

      
      

        
Place an advertisement — $100

        
Word spreads and stays spread: +6 customers/hr, permanently. Yesterday’s adverts are still working for you.

      

    

    

      
      

        
Declare a 10% discount day

        
The sign in the window draws +6/hr — permanently — but today every sale rings up at 90¢ on the dollar.

      

    

    

      

        
        3
        
      

      

        
Assistants on the floor — $200 each/day

        
Each serves ~9 customers/hr. A fuller floor also reassures the queue: customers will wait 3 deep before storming out.

      

    

    
    
    

    

      
Expected arrivals
6.0/hr

      
Service capacity
27/hr

      
Fixed costs
$600

      
      

    

    

    

      
      
    

  







  

    
Monday · close of business

    
Evening till count

    

    
$0

    
Day profit

    

    
    

  







  

    
Saturday evening · the week’s books

    
End of week

    

    

    
$0

    
Week profit

    

    

    

    

      
      
      
      
    

  







  

    
Earned in the field · 0 of 8

    
The Consultant’s Notebook

    
Notes appear when the shop floor has taught you something. The consultant does not explain in advance.