Pricing
Business Studies
(A Level)
A business that accepts the
price set by the market.
(Definition)
The business products what the
market wants, therefore, the
business sets a price that the
market is willing to pay.
(Definition)
A business will set a price based
on the costs of producing and
supplying the product.
(Definition)
Market –
Orientated Pricing
Market
Penetration
Psychological
Pricing
Market
SkimmingLoss
Leader
Pricing
Destroyer
Pricing
Going
Rate
Pricing
A business will accept the current pricing
structure in the market. These businesses
are known as ‘Price Takers’.
The policy of pricing goods just a little below
a round figure, this tactic is hoped to
convince potential buyers that they are
getting value for money.
E.G. £19.99
Products are priced at a low price so that retailers
and consumers are encouraged to purchase in large
quantities. This strategy helps build brand loyalty,
however, if the price is too low, consumers may
think it is of bad quality.
This strategy shouldn’t be used if the
product life cycle is short as there is not
enough time to cover costs and make
profits.
A business will charge a higher price for a limited time to
maximise profits. This is usually for new products while
they are unique to the market.
E.G. IPhone
The ability to use the skimming strategy depends on a business having a
technological advantage or a brand image advantage.
Technological Advantage Brand Image Advantage
Early adopter consumers
will be willing to purchase a
product at a high price, so
that they can own it first.
Brands such as Armani or
Chanel will be at the top of
the market price band.
This strategy involves selling a product at a loss,
with the expectation of attracting customers and
generate profit elsewhere in the business.
E.G. a supermarket may sell bread at a
loss to attract customers where they
will sped money on other products in
store too.
This strategy involves setting a price low
enough to drive competitors out of the market.
Destroyer pricing is often seen as anti-
competitive and therefore illegal.
Cost – Based
Pricing
Contribution
Pricing
Cost
Plus
Pricing
Full Cost
Pricing
A profit percentage is added to the average cost
of producing the product. This is also known as
adding a ‘Mark-Up’. It helps make a desirable
profit but the actions of competitors are ignored.
For Example: COST= £1
MARK UP =40%
SOLD FOR = £1.40
This is similar to cost-plus pricing, however,
all costs are taken into consideration.
The price is based on variable costs plus a
contribution towards profits and overhead. This
method can give flexibility because orders can be
accepted on a different contribution basis for
different products.
Costs
Objectives
Marketing Mix
Competition
Demand
Consumer Perception
Market Segment
Laws and Regulations
Inelastic -
Demand doesn’t change much when price changes
E.G. Petrol, Whether the price of petrol increases or
decreases, people will still need and buy it.
Elastic -
Price Increase = Low Demand
Price Decrease = High Demand
Percentage (%) Change in Demand
Percentage (%) Change in Income
Change in Price
Original Price
X 100

Price (Market-Orientated and Cost-Based Pricing)

  • 1.
  • 2.
    A business thataccepts the price set by the market. (Definition)
  • 3.
    The business productswhat the market wants, therefore, the business sets a price that the market is willing to pay. (Definition)
  • 4.
    A business willset a price based on the costs of producing and supplying the product. (Definition)
  • 5.
  • 6.
    A business willaccept the current pricing structure in the market. These businesses are known as ‘Price Takers’.
  • 7.
    The policy ofpricing goods just a little below a round figure, this tactic is hoped to convince potential buyers that they are getting value for money. E.G. £19.99
  • 8.
    Products are pricedat a low price so that retailers and consumers are encouraged to purchase in large quantities. This strategy helps build brand loyalty, however, if the price is too low, consumers may think it is of bad quality. This strategy shouldn’t be used if the product life cycle is short as there is not enough time to cover costs and make profits.
  • 9.
    A business willcharge a higher price for a limited time to maximise profits. This is usually for new products while they are unique to the market. E.G. IPhone The ability to use the skimming strategy depends on a business having a technological advantage or a brand image advantage. Technological Advantage Brand Image Advantage Early adopter consumers will be willing to purchase a product at a high price, so that they can own it first. Brands such as Armani or Chanel will be at the top of the market price band.
  • 10.
    This strategy involvesselling a product at a loss, with the expectation of attracting customers and generate profit elsewhere in the business. E.G. a supermarket may sell bread at a loss to attract customers where they will sped money on other products in store too.
  • 11.
    This strategy involvessetting a price low enough to drive competitors out of the market. Destroyer pricing is often seen as anti- competitive and therefore illegal.
  • 12.
  • 13.
    A profit percentageis added to the average cost of producing the product. This is also known as adding a ‘Mark-Up’. It helps make a desirable profit but the actions of competitors are ignored. For Example: COST= £1 MARK UP =40% SOLD FOR = £1.40
  • 14.
    This is similarto cost-plus pricing, however, all costs are taken into consideration.
  • 15.
    The price isbased on variable costs plus a contribution towards profits and overhead. This method can give flexibility because orders can be accepted on a different contribution basis for different products.
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Inelastic - Demand doesn’tchange much when price changes E.G. Petrol, Whether the price of petrol increases or decreases, people will still need and buy it. Elastic - Price Increase = Low Demand Price Decrease = High Demand
  • 18.
    Percentage (%) Changein Demand Percentage (%) Change in Income
  • 19.