Introduction
Setting prices above the market average and then offering big discounts or special deals from time to time is called “high-low pricing.” This is a common way to set retail prices. This price approach is meant to bring in more sales by making customers think they are getting special deals. When you use the high-low pricing strategy, going from higher prices to much lower ones can effectively attract a wide range of customers. Notably, this tried-and-true marketing strategy takes advantage of the appeal of lower prices after times when goods are consistently sold at high prices. This makes customers more excited and boosts sales.
How Does Having High and Low Prices Work?
When a high-low pricing plan is first used, goods are sold at a high price, usually more than their normal price. After a while, these expensive things are sold at lower prices, usually during discount sales, to get rid of extra stock. This method makes good use of buyer psychology. The first high prices set a standard for future prices, which makes any sale price look better and encourages people to buy things at full price. As part of the plan, off-season goods will be sold at lower prices so that the sales floor will have a mix of high- and low-priced items. The best price is carefully calculated to find the middle ground between keeping profits high and bringing people looking for deals.
Pros of High and Low Prices
The high-low price approach has many benefits for businesses, which is why it’s a popular choice in many fields.
Businesses can start by setting higher prices with a high-low pricing plan, which could help them make more money. Even though these items are sold at cheaper prices during sales, they can still make a lot of money because they have a bigger markup to begin with. This method usually brings in more money total than models that are always cheap.
Make people excited about the brand and bring more people into the store
Sales and deals that are timed well get customers excited and looking forward to more. This then leads to more people going into shops and visiting websites, which could mean more sales of things that are normally priced.
Group items together and get rid of stock
A high-low selling approach can help you get rid of unwanted items, especially seasonal or slow-moving ones. Businesses can keep track of their merchandise more easily and give customers good deals by bundling these items with popular items at a price.
A marketing plan that can be recycled
Businesses have a flexible and reusable marketing strategy with this price model because it can be used over and over for different goods or times of the year. It can work especially well during busy shopping times or events, like holiday sales.
Get more customers and keep the ones you already have
A wide range of customers can be drawn to high-low prices, from people looking for deals to people who are ready to pay full price to get goods first. This approach helps to get more customers and keep the ones you already have because they see value in both high and low prices.
Sales and deals that are timed well get customers excited and looking forward to more. This then leads to more people going into shops and visiting websites, which could mean more sales of things that are normally priced.
Cons of High-Low Prices
There are some problems with the high-low strategy that make it less useful than other strategies. Businesses need to know about these problems in order to make smart choices about their price strategies. Here are the three main problems that come with high-low prices:
One big problem is that people often wait for deals, which can hurt the sales of things that are normally priced at full price. Customers who are waiting to see what happens can make sales trends uncertain, which could hurt profits. Customers may not believe your product is good.
Customers might start to doubt the quality and value of the goods if prices change a lot. People might think the standard price is too high, which could hurt the brand’s image and trustworthiness.
A lot of promotion is usually needed for high-low pricing tactics to let customers know about ongoing sales. This higher cost of promotion can make the sales approach less profitable overall.
People’s Psychology and High-low Pricing
Before getting into how prices affect how people think about and act on things, it’s helpful to know about some basic ideas in the psychology of pricing:
The first price a customer sees is the base price. With this “anchor” price, you can compare all the prices that come after it. So, if a product is set too high at first, the price may seem more fair after a while.
The fake effect happens when a third product or choice is made available that isn’t as good but makes the first choice look better. This may make the customer more likely to choose the first option.
People usually think that a higher price means a better product. In other words, a more expensive item might be thought to be better, even if there aren’t many changes in quality.
People are usually interested in deals and savings. People are more likely to buy something when the price is lower, or there is a special offer. They feel like they are getting a good deal.
Prestige of a brand: For some people, a high price can be a sign of status. High prices are often used by luxury brands to give the impression that they are hard to get and of higher quality. People may think they are getting a more important product when they choose more expensive ones.
Value as seen: The price of an object can also change how valuable people think it is. For instance, if the price of a product is lower than the prices of similar products on the market, people may see it as a good deal. This can make people want to buy because they think they are getting a good deal.
Decisions based on reason vs. emotions: Price can affect what kind of choice a person makes. Lower prices can appeal to reason and logic, while higher prices can make people feel bad. Companies can change their pricing approach to fit the type of product and group they want to reach by understanding these factors.
Strategies for Setting Prices That Affect How People Act
Companies can change how people buy things by using different pricing methods because prices and how people feel about them are closely linked.
You can use the base price effect to your advantage by showing a product at a higher price first and then showing deals or special offers. When compared to the original anchor price, consumers see lower prices as good deals.
Putting together sets of goods or services can affect people’s choices to buy. People may think they are getting more for their money when they buy a deal instead of separate things.
Putting prices that end in 9 or 99, like $9.99 instead of $10, can make items look cheaper and encourage people to buy them on the spot.
By releasing a third product that serves as a distraction, you can get people to choose the product you want to push. The goal product should be more appealing than this fake product, or it should cost more.
You can improve your pricing strategy over time by running A/B tests to see how different prices affect sales and conversion rates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, consumer psychology can help you set smart prices that will increase sales and improve the image of your brand in the market. Remember that for the best results, your pricing approach should match the value proposition of your business and the standards of the people you want to buy from you. Visit Rubick.ai for cutting-edge tools and solutions.
