Retail Pricing Strategy
One of the most crucial areas of decision making for retailers is pricing. Yet, we have found that small firms often do not have well-conceived pricing plans. And many such firms seem to panic (or ignore the problem) when large discount-oriented retailers enter their trading areas – or become more aggressive. This is not necessary; small retailers can prosper in today's discount-oriented environment, as long as they have a good understanding of their niche in the marketplace.
With this in mind, we have prepared this six-part series on pricing. We offer a number of tips to help you improve your pricing decisions. In this article, we begin with several questions for you to consider. When you address these questions for your firm, always ask yourself the rationable behind your answers:
Do you have an overall pricing philosophy? What is it? (high end, medium, or low end)
What are the characteristics of the people who shop at your store? For what reasons do they shop at your store? (for low prices, for convenience, for service, etc.) Is this consistent with your pricing philosophy?
How do you compute prices?
When setting prices, do you take all of your operating costs into account? (including your own salary)
How does your store use manufacturer suggested list prices?
Are your prices "fair" to the customers who shop at your store? What does the term "fair" mean to you?
Do you or one of your employees visit competing retailers to check on their prices? Do you check competitors' ads for prices? If you do check competitors' prices, how does your firm react to what you learn?
How often do you change prices? Does this vary by product category?
How often do you run sales? Does this vary by product category?
Do you plan for stock shortages (due to shrinkage and clerical errors) when setting prices? How?
Do you use price lining? (whereby you sell items at a range of prices, such $12, $17, and $25 dollar ties)
Do you advertise prices? Where?
Do you let customers bargain over the prices of any items?
How do you use prices in competing with larger retailers? (such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Toys "R" Us, etc.)
Have you formed a buying group (cooperative) with other small retailers to get better terms on your purchases?
Do you use odd prices ($4.95, $59.95) rather than even prices ($5.00, $60)?
When you take a physical inventory, how do you compute the value of the merchandise remaining in stock?
Do you understand the difference between an initial markup and a maintained markup? Do you use these concepts in setting your prices?
How are prices displayed in your store? (shelf labels, price tags on individual items, etc.)
What payment method(s) do you accept? (cash, check, store charge, bank card)
Do you understand both of these terms: Elastic demand? Inelastic demand?
What do you think about everyday low pricing
By Joel R. Evans, Ph.D.& Barry Berman, Ph.D
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