Collection of short message cards posted online

Q:

I recently heard the news that the University of Tokyo Co-op's management is deteriorating, so I thought I'd offer some ideas for improving management from the perspective of a user (although this is just the ramblings of an outsider who has nothing to do with the organization...)

- Reviewing the cafeteria pricing system and introducing dynamic pricing.
Currently, there are two categories: "non-university price" and "member price." Consider revising this to two categories: "cafeteria money user price" and "other user price." With the advancement of digital payments, the use of credit cards and transportation IC cards by members is expanding. However, these payments have the disadvantage of levying a portion of sales as fees. Therefore, limiting discounted prices to cafeteria money can prevent loss of profits due to fees.
Also, consider introducing "dynamic pricing," which increases prices during peak periods. For students, the second or third period is often the free period, so this should allow for a certain degree of dispersion of usage.
- Selling highly profitable "University of Tokyo-exclusive menus" and limited-edition merchandise sets targeted
at tourists. While non-university tourists frequently visit the University of Tokyo, they should be viewed as a business opportunity rather than a nuisance that causes cafeteria congestion. They seek the unique experience of dining at the University of Tokyo cafeteria, and their budgets are likely significantly higher than those of general users. Therefore, we suggest strengthening the "high-priced menu for tourists" by adding limited-edition items like Akamon Ramen to the current seafood bowl stand (by prohibiting non-university visitors from using the general menu). In this case, we would compare it with nearby restaurants, whose average dining cost is well over 1,000 yen, so further price increases would be acceptable. Furthermore, we could further increase added value by selling limited-edition University of Tokyo merchandise as a set or as a souvenir.
- Partial withdrawal from purchasing business; focus on electronics and real estate.
We recognize that the purchasing business, with its low margins and high volume, is a sector that is not particularly profitable among the co-op's businesses. From a user's perspective, we also recognize that purchasing is more expensive than nearby convenience stores and supermarkets along Hongo Street. Therefore, we suggest withdrawing from the low-margin grocery and stationery businesses and adopting a method of recruiting other businesses and charging rental fees for their space. Furthermore, I believe that the strength of university co-ops in the purchasing business lies in their "closeness to students" rather than price, so why not focus on the high-priced electrical appliances and housing center businesses, where they can expect to demonstrate their unique strengths through continued support?

A:

We are pleased to receive your proposals for improving management. Reducing credit card fees by concentrating the use of Co-op Money. Setting prices by time of day and selling merchandise sets. Catering to tourists. There are many key points, such as streamlining operations, that we empathize with. Starting in March, we will begin charging non-members for purchasing. We believe that incorporating your opinions and creating an environment for sound management and reinvestment will lead to improved service. At the general meeting to be held in May, we will report on future initiatives, such as formulating a mid-term plan and approving budget policies, and hold a Q&A session. We appreciate your continued participation in Co-op management

Q:

I would like to ask about using the cafeteria for purposes other than eating

If possible, I would like to use the cafeteria for club activity meetings, or for work that requires electronic devices such as a computer or paper and pen

A:

Generally, we ask that you refrain from using the facilities for any purpose other than dining in the cafeteria

Q:

When I order white rice or barley rice, the way a certain waiter measures the food doesn't make sense and it always bothers me.
Specifically, they hold the bowl in their hand, tap it on the scale for a moment, and then serve it. This distributes the weight so it's impossible to confirm the exact value, and it doesn't even appear that they're checking the value visually. I
usually use the cafeteria in the evenings, so I don't think it's because they were busy during the busy season.
As part of nutritional management, we use large, medium, and small portions as appropriate, so could you please be mindful of serving the food according to the prescribed amounts?

A:

We will once again thoroughly instruct all staff on how to measure the specified amount.

Q:

There are frequent discrepancies between the menu information posted on comenu and the menu actually served in the cafeteria (and the menu on the electronic bulletin board at the cafeteria entrance) (for example, today, fried white fish was not actually served).
Detailed nutritional information can only be checked on comenu, and frequent discrepancies throw off nutritional calculations. I
understand that sudden changes occur due to food availability, but even so, this seems too frequent, so I would like you to consider revising the menu posting system, etc.

A:

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the issue with comenu. As you mentioned, there are many cases where ingredients change on the day of the event, and we have received your feedback. We will review our operations to make corrections on the day as much as possible.

Q:

Regarding the issue of prohibited use of the kettle during sample distribution, even though Cup Noodles and other items are being distributed. I
would like you to clearly state this prohibition. As far as I can tell, I did not find any such wording on the notices, X's mailbox, or the distribution staff's announcements. I went through the register to have lunch with the sample, but I was prohibited from using the kettle there. Since the sample was not enough for lunch, I had to go back in line. Since the kettle was being distributed right in front of me, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought I could fill it with hot water and make it there. If many people make the same mistake as me, the area around the register will become crowded, which will be detrimental to both the purchasing department and customers. I would appreciate your response.

A:

Thank you for your feedback regarding the distribution of samples. Because it would be very crowded if everyone used the water heaters from the samples, we have decided to limit the use of water heaters for the samples. We
sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We will make sure to post information about this in future notices.

Q:

It's extremely inconvenient to have many self-service registers, which are only used a few times, and many manned registers.
If you're going to set up a store on a university campus, you should be more aware of your responsibility to maintain convenience. Even if you do set up a store, make sure it accepts credit cards and electronic payments other than your own.

A:

We will take your opinions and requests seriously.
We would like to inform you of the background and current situation that led to the addition of self-checkout registers.

[Background]
- 3,000-4,500 people use the store every day
- Reference cash register payment speeds
: 20-30 seconds for cash/credit cards, around 10 seconds for the Co-op app
(By promoting payments via the Co-op app, a simple calculation shows that every 1% increase in payment rate will lead to a reduction in congestion of more than 5 minutes per day.)
- Membership rate is approximately 99% (1st and 2nd year students)
- Co-op app payment rate is 65% (as of July)

as a management measure to combat rising prices and labor costs, so
that as many students as possible
can use the store more smoothly we are installing more self-checkouts that are compatible with the Co-op app.

is to ensure that we can continue to provide products and services to our members as an organization operated with capital deposited by our members

[Current situation]
Co-op app payment rate: 68-71%

We believe that this has improved convenience for more students, allowing them to use the self-checkouts smoothly during limited times (such as break times). It may depend on
the time of day you use the self-checkouts, but even during peak lunch hours, the lines at the self-checkouts dissipate smoothly, so it may appear that there are fewer users.
We have also received comments from students saying, "Paying with the Co-op app is quicker" using the card.

On the other hand, we appreciate your request for other payment methods.
However, as you may know, payment companies charge fees for all payment methods, including credit cards.
Supporting other payment methods at self-checkouts would also require significant development costs.
As a non-profit organization operating solely on campus, this would be a significant burden that would have a significant impact on our operations.
Therefore, we would like to ask that you use the Co-op app for payments while you are enrolled, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

We ask that you continue to use the University of Tokyo Co-op, and we would appreciate it if you would feel free to contact us with any comments, opinions, or requests you may have

Q:

I want to see more monsters again

A:

The Monster series of energy drinks

has been halted from shipment by the manufacturer due to a system failure caused by a cyber attack on Asahi Soft Drinks, the distributor

Q:

I'm a student at Hongo University. I can check the menu for the Central Cafeteria online. This is very convenient and appreciated. Can I also check the menus for the Metro Cafeteria and the Second Cafeteria? I'd appreciate it if you could let me know

A:

The menus for the Central and Komaba cafeterias are displayed on comenu, but for Metro, the Second Cafeteria, and the Faculty of Agriculture, they are not displayed due to cost and personnel constraints. We will consider this internally, but please check in-store until the implementation

Q:

There was a hair in the udon so I would like you to check it before serving it to me

A:

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
We have shared this information with the noodle supplier. We will thoroughly check again to ensure this does not happen again. In the future, if you notice anything unusual, we would appreciate it if you would speak to a Co-op staff member immediately.

Q:

I haven't seen the Monster Mango Loco at the store lately. I used to drink it almost every day, so I hope it comes back! I also think that the wide variety of Monster flavors was a good thing about the store.
> Thank you!

A:

We are currently unable to order
Monster Mango Loco
due to a system failure caused by a cyber attack on the Asahi Group As Monster is an Asahi product,

we have been informed that not only Mango Loco but all varieties

Asahi's system is restored and
orders can be placed again,
we will arrange the order as soon as possible, so
please wait until then!