Economic Principles of Consumer Integration - Essay Example

With regards to the exemplification of the first economic principle, consumer choice, this can relatively be defined in terms of the fact that the consumer continually wants more than he/she can provide. In essence, a desire exists within the current market for French fries; even though it is true that this food is very harmful to the health and weight of the individual in question. Yet as an evident outgrowth of the fact that consumer demands know no bounds, the article references the fact that a clear and unmet demand exists for “low-fat” French fries; something that none of the main fast food chains have moved towards supplying to the market. In this way, the article goes on to explain how Burger King seeks to lead the market by providing what consumers have been demanding. It is likely to assume that the move by Burger King to fill this shortage in supply of a commodity that consumers have actively been seeking will provide a level of profitability that other firms operating within the same markets have not had the presence of mind to fulfill (O’Connor, 1).

An additional economic principle that is referenced within the article in question is with regards to the fact that the consequences of consumer choice of life in the future. Whereas it is unfair to state that this economic principle has not been appreciated in the past, it can necessarily be seen could be more relevant to the current situation and how consumers are unequivocally more concerned about the health and safety of the food products that they consume. Recent levels of environmentalism and the focus on organic foods have led consumers to demand high-quality with regards to products they regularly integrate with. Likewise, seeking to tie this back in with the economic principle of the consequences lying in the future, the reader can easily discern the fact that continuing to assume French fries that are high in fat ultimately has a detrimental impact with regards to the future health and longevity of the individual in question. In such a way, Burger King has leveraged this understanding and seeks to utilize this level of forethought and planning as a means of selling an entirely new product; likely at a slightly higher rate than alternatively less healthful traditional fries.

Although the examples that have thus far been pointed out may seem as somewhat trite, the fact of the matter is that firms such as Burger King are intimately aware of the decision-making structure and impetus that encourages the consumer to integrate with their product. In this way, seeking to understand these environmental factors and the recent push towards engaging in anymore healthful lifestyle, firms are ultimately faced with two decisions. They can either continue to offer the product that they have offered in the past, to a great deal of commercial success, or they can seek to differentiate their product offering as a means of engaging with the market. Naturally, it does not take a great deal of economic or business sense to understand that seeking to differentiate the product and continue to meet the needs of the consumer is the more appropriate and applicable response. As such, the economic principles of consumer demand and the means through which choice is made are perfectly delineated in the case of Burger King and the drive to provide the consumer with more healthful alternatives to the traditional French fry.