Assignment:
Share examples of two products (choose any products) you have recently purchased and analyze why you selected each by your level of satisfaction. What type of products they were?
1. Compare pricing strategies in the 'most consumable' and 'luxury' products in times of inflation.
2. Why pricing is so important within the marketing-mix.
3. Estimate the BEP for your product and describe how it affects short- or long-term ROI (in your non-profit projects speak about your costs and funding options);
4. Is your product elastic or inelastic, what price elasticity presents for your product (sales volume, inventory costs, price adjustments, etc.);
5. What are major ethical and public policy issues that have implications for your pricing strategy.
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1. The two products I recently purchased are a bottle of water and a designer handbag.
- For the bottle of water, the pricing strategy was focused on affordability and convenience. The price was relatively low, making it a consumable product that anyone can afford. In times of inflation, the pricing strategy for most consumable products like water would need to consider maintaining affordability while also covering any increased production or transportation costs.
- On the other hand, the designer handbag had a luxury pricing strategy. The price was significantly higher, reflecting the brand's image, exclusivity, and perceived value. In times of inflation, luxury products might increase their prices to maintain their status and uniqueness, targeting a certain segment of the market that can still afford and appreciate such products.
2. Pricing is crucial within the marketing mix because it directly impacts a company's revenue and profitability. The price of a product determines the perceived value by customers, influences demand, and affects the company's market positioning. It can differentiate a product from competitors, impact market share, and drive consumer behavior. Additionally, pricing can also be used strategically to support other marketing objectives, such as attracting new customers, increasing market penetration, or maximizing profits.
3. In terms of estimating the break-even point (BEP) for my product, let's assume I run a non-profit project providing free educational resources. The BEP can be calculated by dividing the total fixed costs by the contribution margin per unit. However, in the case of a non-profit project, there might not be a traditional BEP. Instead, we would need to focus on the sustainability of the project and ensure that the costs are covered through funding options such as grants, donations, or sponsorships. The impact on short- or long-term return on investment (ROI) would then be measured by assessing the effectiveness of the project in achieving its goals and the overall benefit to the community or target audience.
4. For the bottle of water, the product is likely to be relatively price inelastic. This means that changes in price will have a limited impact on sales volume. People generally view water as a necessity and would continue to purchase it regardless of small price adjustments. However, if the price were to increase significantly, there might be a point where the product becomes price elastic and consumers start seeking alternative options or reducing their consumption. The impact of price elasticity in this case would primarily affect inventory costs and production volume.
5. One major ethical and public policy issue regarding the pricing strategy for water could be related to access to clean drinking water as a basic human right. The pricing strategy should ensure that water remains affordable and accessible to all, especially in regions where water scarcity is a concern. Another issue could be the environmental impact of the packaging or production process, which might require the pricing strategy to incorporate sustainable practices and responsible sourcing. For luxury products like designer handbags, ethical concerns may arise regarding labor practices, transparency in the supply chain, and the potential exploitation of workers. The pricing strategy should consider ensuring fair wages and ethical manufacturing processes to avoid any public backlash that could negatively impact reputation and sales.