Introduction
CNA highlighted an article about profit margin of hawker. The piece was written by a Fishball noodle seller, who claimed that a bowl of his Fishball noodle had only 20-30 cents profit margin.
There was no sharing of his cost breakdowns, revenue and other financial data to help readers. For example, operating revenue is revenue – all costs. Costs included cost of goods sold (direct cost) and indirect costs (e.g. rental, utility and others).
If Desmond wanted to know his net profit, he would need to discount any loan interest, and subsequently income tax. That would be his net profit!
Profit is subjective
Desmond Ng does not represent all Fishball noodle sellers. That is because, to be a successful business owner, you have to be resourceful. That said, you need to reduce costs (either by sourcing for suppliers and drafting long-term contractual agreement with them), and operate more efficiently.
Instead of lamenting low profit margin, he should be differentiating his product. If he can differentiate his product to be more than just Fishball Noodle, he will be able to price his value-added plate higher.
Instead, he is attributing customers as the main reason his profit margin is low. His reasoning that customers are reluctant to pay more is flawed. Customers compare and select. If there are other Fishball noodle sellers selling at a particular price, they expect the price to be within that range, else they have avenue to select and abandon those who priced more. That is what supply and demand works.
Real experience
To be able to assess and analyse the claim that hawkers’ profit margin is low, I have to get into the industry myself.
This is part 1 of my research.
Reference
- Profit margins for hawker fare? As low as 20 to 30 cents (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/profit-margins-for-hawker-centre-fare-as-low-as-20-to-30-cents-10948414, 20 Nov 2018 by Desmond Ng). Note that Desmond is a Fishball noodle seller who shared his personal profit margin.
SieKitChen 