Question

In 2000, McDonald's introduced its McSalad Shaker, which failed to catch on with the public and was subsequently dropped from the menu. This failure illustrates the idea of:

1) Market saturation
2) Product obsolescence
3) Brand loyalty
4) Consumer demand

Answer 1

The failure of McDonald's McSalad Shaker illustrates the concept of consumer demand, showing that even for large companies, success on meeting market preferences and expectations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The failure of McDonald's McSalad Shaker in 2000 is an illustration of consumer demand. This term refers to the desires of purchasers, users of products, and services at various prices over a period. Consumer demand is critical for a product's success; if the market does not react positively to a product, even large corporations with strong brands may face a product failure. Conditions of demand and supply in the market can shift unexpectedly, influencing consumer preferences and thereby the success or failure of products. Such shifts reflect the market's response to a company's products and can lead to their discontinuation if they do not meet consumer expectations or demands.

The concept of McDonaldization, which includes the increasing presence of the fast-food business model and its effects on society, suggests that the standardized and routinized nature of such businesses can lead to a lack of variety and personal touch in products and services offered, influencing consumer demand. Consequently, when McDonald's attempted to diversify with the McSalad Shaker, it did not align effectively with what consumers wanted, leading to its discontinuation.