Good to know someone has some sense about this matter. I'm sick of everyone over 65 being catered to. Yes, those on "fixed incomes" (as if you can't be rich while living on a fixed income) should get some help, but why should I pay full price for groceries while the 65 year old millionaire down the street gets 20% off on "senior day?" Argh!
You'd be stunned (and probably won't believe this), but when I was doing my MBA, the reasoning behind senior discounts, and other things businesses did for seniors did come up.
The reasons were not what I had expected, or even the origins of it in todays practical use.
Long story short, it does play to some sterotypes, having to do with regular folks working all day and doing their shopping at a different time, and the want to get foot traffic at what could be or would be off peak times, to the hassles of having the elderly there during high peak times.
It was thought of as a way to spread out or even out the number of consumers without causing needless delay to one segment while inducing another segment with incentives to come in, at a time that would be easier to manage.
Think utilization of resources for maximum efficiency.
Ironically, I still think, the idea is stupid, and does not work, and should be junked.
Go figure.