What are pricing techniques?

Business & Management
, ,
#1

Generally, pricing strategies include the following five strategies. Cost-plus pricing—simply calculating your costs and adding a mark-up. Competitive pricing—setting a price based on what the competition charges. Value-based pricing—setting a price based on how much the customer believes what you’re selling is worth.

Premium pricing: high price is used as a defining criterion. Such pricing strategies work in segments and industries where a strong competitive advantage exists for the company. Example: Porche in cars and Gillette in blades.

Penetration pricing: price is set artificially low to gain market share quickly. This is done when a new product is being launched. It is understood that prices will be raised once the promotion period is over and market share objectives are achieved. Example: Mobile phone rates in India; housing loans etc.

Economy pricing: no-frills price. Margins are wafer thin; overheads like marketing and advertising costs are very low. Targets the mass market and high market share. Example: Friendly wash detergents; Nirma; local tea producers.

Skimming strategy: high price is charged for a product till such time as competitors allow after which prices can be dropped. The idea is to recover maximum money before the product or segment attracts more competitors who will lower profits for all concerned. Example: the earliest prices for mobile phones, VCRs and other electronic items where a few players ruled attracted lower cost Asian players.

Pricing strategy refers to method companies use to price their products or services. Almost all companies, large or small, base the price of their products and services on production, labor and advertising expenses and then add on a certain percentage so they can make a profit.