- The Elements of Pricing Strategy
- Returning to Retail Strategy
- Hypothetical Cases
Hypothetical Cases
Pricing and Promotional Strategies for ShoeWeb
Cost of Goods (COGs)
ShoeWeb is purchasing branded products from its authorized distributors. The products are mainly constructed overseas, but the vendors are responsible for all customs and duty liabilities, passing this cost on to the retailer in the purchase price. About half of the vendors include freight in their prices, and the rest bill the freight separately. For future profitability calculations, ShoeWeb management researches the usual freight costs and estimates that freight will equal four percent of the retail value of their purchases.
Initial Mark-Up
The industry standard for IMU is 50 percent, and most manufacturers' SRPs reflect this mark-up. The management does not want to jeopardize relationships with suppliers, so it has no plans to "break" any of the rules these manufacturers make about the pricing and promotional activity surrounding their product lines.
Promotional Strategy
ShoeWeb management will take advantage of promotional opportunities geared around seasonal events. For these events, a small selection of appropriate shoes will be featured and discounted to 20 percent off regular retail price. This will represent a small amount of the total assortment and offerings.
As its fashion products go out of season and the brands eliminate shoes from their lines, ShoeWeb management will practice a combination of returns to vendor and permanent markdowns to reduce stock levels. Clearance shoes will be merchandised separate from regular price offerings to preserve the integrity of the regular pricing structure.
Competitor Prices
ShoeWeb management keeps an ongoing check on their major competitors, both on and offline. The majority of their product is branded, and the competition observes the same SRP and promotional rules as ShoeWeb.
Retail Strategy
The key points of the retail strategy that relate the pricing and promotional strategy are as follows:
An emphasis on service and selection rather than low price
A need to maximize net margin to cover the expenses of selection, fashion products, quick delivery, and generous return policy
A need to preserve the integrity of their products and their retail worth
Fair prices, in line with the other retail options customers have
Pricing and Promotional Strategies for WebKidCare
WebKidCare is purchasing branded products and unbranded products that its buyers feel are of high enough quality for their customers. WebKidCare is also planning to develop and brand its own products to sell next to the other established brands.
Cost of Goods
The price from its vendors includes customs and duties charges. On its own line of products, however, which it will manufacture in the Far East and Eastern Europe, it will be responsible for the customs and duties charges, as well as the freight.
Due to the size and weight of the products, freight will be calculated separately for each delivery. No supplier includes this cost in its prices. Research indicates that, on average, freight charges will equal five percent of retail sales price.
Initial Mark-Up
Mark-ups in this industry tend to range from 50 percent to 80 percent. Products that require some form of professional installation are usually marked up more with an offer of "free installation" from the retailer.
WebKidCare, however, decides to separate this installation cost and bill it separately to the purchaser. Therefore, the buyer aims for an IMU of 60 percent across the board on all items. On products requiring installation, WebKidCare will arrange with a local subcontractor to perform the work and invoice the customer directly. Customers will also have the option of arranging installation on their own if they prefer.
Promotional Strategy
WebKidCare management does not carry fashion products, and its sales are not driven by impulse buying. Therefore, promotional sales activity is neither required nor desired. Instead, WebKidCare management will set a price on its product offerings and stick to it.
If a particular item is leaving the assortment, WebKidCare's preference will be to liquidate stock via returns to vendor or reselling to other outlets. As a last resource, leftover stock will be donated to non-profit facilities that cater to low-income families.
Competitor Prices
WebKidCare management keeps tabs on the offerings from its competitors, requesting price lists and catalogs from them as necessary. Its goal is to offer the best price in the market, so if a competitor publishes a lower price on an identical (or similar) item, it will change its price to beat the competitor's price. This applies only to everyday competitor prices and does not apply if the competitor is lowering its price for a short-term sale period.
Pricing and Promotional Checklist
Evaluate all elements of price: COGs, IMU, promotional strategy, competitor prices, and retail strategy
Consider all contributors to COGs, including purchase price, country of origin, and freight
Research IMU for your industry and/or products
Shop competition to gain an overview understanding of where your prices are in the marketplace
Review your retail strategy to be sure that your prices are communicating a message that is aligned with your strategy
Select a promotional strategy that is in tune with your retail strategy and your product line
Are you an "Everyday Low Price" operation?
Do you plan to "Hi-Low" your assortment?
Will items be put on "Clearance"?
Retail Strategy
The key points of the retail strategy that relate the pricing and promotional strategy are as follows:
Emphasis on best price available on a quality product
No promotional activity reinforces the fact that the original retail price is already the "best deal available."
Donation of "leftover stock" to needy organizations (as opposed to clearance sales) reinforces commitment to community and its integrity