For Too Good To Go's surprise bags, should we emphasize variety of contents to boost user excitement or consistency to improve merchant efficiency?

Introduction

The trade-off between emphasizing variety or consistency in Too Good To Go's surprise bags presents a classic product dilemma. This decision impacts user excitement and merchant efficiency, two critical factors for the platform's success. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining user behavior, merchant operations, and overall platform dynamics.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on our current user retention data, I'm thinking variety might be a key driver of repeat purchases. Could you share any insights on how bag contents diversity correlates with user retention?

Why it matters: Helps determine the impact of variety on long-term user engagement Expected answer: Strong positive correlation between variety and retention Impact on approach: Would prioritize variety if retention is a key goal

• Considering our merchant acquisition strategy, I'm assuming efficiency is crucial for onboarding new partners. How does bag preparation time factor into merchant satisfaction and retention?

Why it matters: Balances user needs against merchant operations Expected answer: Significant impact on merchant satisfaction and willingness to continue Impact on approach: May lean towards consistency if merchant growth is a priority

• Looking at our revenue model, I'm thinking the platform fee might vary based on bag price or merchant type. Can you clarify our current fee structure and if it's impacted by bag contents?

Why it matters: Helps assess financial implications of the decision Expected answer: Fixed percentage fee regardless of contents Impact on approach: Would focus more on user experience if revenue is not directly tied to variety

• Considering technical feasibility, I'm curious about our current capabilities for tracking and analyzing bag contents. Do we have systems in place to monitor variety across purchases?

Why it matters: Determines our ability to implement and measure variety-focused strategies Expected answer: Basic tracking in place, but room for improvement Impact on approach: Might need to factor in development time for better tracking systems

• Thinking about our current team structure, I'm wondering about our capacity to support merchants in diversifying their offerings. Do we have dedicated merchant success teams to assist with this?

Why it matters: Assesses our ability to support a variety-focused strategy Expected answer: Small team in place, but potentially understaffed Impact on approach: Might need to consider resource allocation if pursuing increased variety