Skip to main content

Price Strategy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

The business strategy defines the framework for price management. This starts with articulating the set of goals the business is pursuing. In general, these goals have many dimensions and are often to some extent contradictory, so that it is necessary to prioritize the goals when setting prices. The price strategy of a company has an enormous influence on shareholder value. The right strategies contribute to sustained growth of the value of the enterprise. Pursuing the wrong strategies can quickly destroy enterprise value, in some cases permanently. The most fundamental decisions concern price positioning. We distinguish among five typical price positions: luxury, premium, medium, low, and ultra-low. We will explore each of these positions, looking in particular at their respective bases, the associated marketing instruments, and the opportunities and risks. Markets are dynamic, which means that a price position should change in line with changes in market conditions. Yet the process of making such changes can take a long time to unfold, and the results are not easy to correct.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Buzzell, R. D., & Bradley, T. I. (1987). The PIMS Principles-Linking Strategy to Performance. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Henderson, B. (1968). Perspectives on Experience. Boston: The Boston Consulting Group.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Farris, P., & Moore, M. J. (Eds.) (2004). The Profit Impact of Marketing Strategy Project: Retrospect and Prospects. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ailawadi, K. L., Farris, P. W., & Parry, M. E. (1999). Market Share and ROI: Observing the Effect of Unobserved Variables. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 16(1), 17–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lee, J. (2009). Does Size Matter in Firm Performance? Evidence from US Public Firms. International Journal of the Economics of Business, 16(2), 189–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Edeling, A., & Himme A. (2018). When Does Market Share Matter? New Empirical Generalizations from a Meta-Analysis of the Market Share-Performance Relationship. Journal of Marketing, 82(3), 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lanzillotti, R. F. (1958). Pricing Objectives in Large Companies. The American Economic Review, 48(5), 921–940.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Armstrong, J., & Green, K. (2005). Competitor-Oriented Objectives: The Myth of Market Share. Working Paper, 17(05). Victoria: Monash University.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rego, L. L., Morgan, N. A., & Fornell, C. (2013). Reexamining the Market Share-Customer Satisfaction Relationship. Journal of Marketing, 77(5), 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Edeling, A., & Fischer, M. (2016). Marketing’s Impact on Firm Value – Generalizations from a Meta-Analysis. Journal of Marketing, 53(4), 515–534.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Miniter, R. (2002). The Myth of Market Share. New York: Crown Business.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Baehny, A. M. (2015). Wachstum vs. Gewinn – Perspektive eines Schweizer Hidden Champions. Lecture on the occasion of the conference on Simon-Kucher’s 30th anniversary, Frankfurt am Main, September 17.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chu, W., Chen, C. N., & Wang, C. H. (2008). The Market Share – Profitability Relationships in the Securities Industry. The Service Industries Journal, 28(6), 813–826.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Srinivasan, S., Pauwels, K., Silva-Risso, J., & Hanssens, D. M. (2009). Product Innovations, Advertising, and Stock Returns. Journal of Marketing, 73(1), 24–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Thiel, P. (2014). Zero to One – Notes on Startups or How to Build the Future. New York: Crown Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Share price of a telecommunications company (2015). http://www.finance.yahoo.com. Accessed 11 November 2015.

  17. Anonymous. (2015, March 25). The Wall Street Journal, p. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Anonymous. (2009, March 18). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Share price of Praktiker (2016). http://www.onvista.de. Accessed 01 December 2016.

  20. Share price of Uralkali (2016). http://www.onvista.de. Accessed 01 December 2016.

  21. Mattioli, D. (2013, February 25). For Penney’s Heralded Boss, the Shine is Off the Apple. The Wall Street Journal, p. A1.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Share price of J.C. Penney (2016). http://www.onvista.de. Accessed 01 December 2016.

  23. Pauwels, K., Silva-Risso, J., Srinivasan, S., & Hanssens, D. M. (2004). New Products, Sales Promotions, and Firm Value: The Case of the Automotive Industry. Journal of Marketing, 68(4), 142–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Simon, H. (2009). Think – Strategische Unternehmensführung statt Kurzfrist-Denke (p. 85). Frankfurt am Main: Campus. Original quote by Peter F. Drucker: “Marketing means seeing the whole business through the eyes of the customer.”

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ramanujam, M. & Tacke, G. (2016). Monetizing Innovation: How Smart Companies Design the Product Around the Price. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Akerlof, G. A. (1970). The Market for “Lemons”: Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 84(3), 488–500. In this article Akerlof used the expression “lemon” for a bad product, based on his study of the market for used cars and the signals which prices give. He received the Nobel Prize in 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Gracián, B. (1601–1658). Spanish Jesuit, moral philosopher and writer. http://www.aphorismen.de/zitat/6535. Accessed 03 March 2015. Original quote: “It is better to be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods.”

  28. Ruskin, J. (1819–1900). Gesetz der Wirtschaft. http://www.iposs.de/1/gesetz-der-witschaft/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  29. Kotler, P., Keller, K. L., & Bliemel, F. (2007). Marketing-Management: Strategien für wertschaffendes Handeln. Halbergmoos: Pearson Studium.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wiegner, C. M. (2010). Preis-Leistungs-Positionierung: Konzeption und Umsetzung. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kowitt, B. (2014). Fallen Arches: Can McDonald’s Get its Mojo Back? Fortune. http://fortune.com/2014/11/12/can-mcdonalds-get-its-mojo-back/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  32. Linder, R., & Heeg, T. (2015, March 10). Eine Uhr so teuer wie ein Auto. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 22.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Valentino-Devries, J. (2010). From Hype to Disaster: The Segway’s Timeline, The Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/09/27/from-hype-to-disaster-segways-timeline/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  34. Lashinsky, A. (2014). Amazon Goes to War Again (and Again), Fortune. http://fortune.com/2014/11/13/amazon-jeff-bezos-retail-disruptor/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  35. Mesco, M. (2014, December 15). Struggling Gucci Reshoes Top Ranks. The Wall Street Journal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB22501900001083983765804580332323358192104. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  36. Löhr, J. (2014, December 23). Auf den Hund gekommen. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Martin, R. L., & Lafley, A. G. (2013). Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works. Jackson: Perseus Distribution.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Fassnacht, M., Kluge, P. N., & Mohr, H. (2013). Pricing Luxury Brands: Specificities, Conceptualization, and Performance Impact. Marketing ZFP – Journal of Research and Management, 35(2), 104–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Preisentwicklung der Schweizer Uhrenexporte (2013, October 5). Finanzwirtschaft, p. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  40. LVMH (2017). Annual Report. https://r.lvmh-static.com/uploads/2017/11/2017-financial-documents.pdf. Accessed 13 February 2018.

  41. Richemont (2017). Annual Report. https://www.richemont.com/images/investor_relations/reports/annual_report/2017/ar_fy2017_f73jdsf82s64r2.pdf. Accessed 13 February 2018.

  42. Richemont (2007). Annual Report. https://www.richemont.com/investor-relations/reports/report-archive.html. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  43. von der Gathen, A., & Gersch, B. (2008). Global Industry Study: Profit Excellence in the Luxury Goods Industry. Bonn: Simon-Kucher & Partners.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wüstefeld, E. (2014, December 19). Sie stehen nicht mit dem Rücken zur Wand. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Stock, O. (2006, April 07). Sechs Fragen an Nick Hayek. Handelsblatt, p. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Fassnacht, M., & Dahm, J. M. (2018). The Veblen Effect and (In)Conspicuous Consumption: A State of the Art Article, Luxury Research Journal. 1(4), 343–371.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Braun, S. (2015, January 20). Die Kunst, Atome richtig anzuordnen. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Feth, G. G. (2005). Die Keramikbremse ist auf dem Weg in die Großserie. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/technik-motor/auto-verkehr/porsche-die-keramik-bremse-ist-auf-dem-weg-in-die-grossserie-1114868.html. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  49. Tuma, T. (2012). Wir sind Handwerker. Spiegel Gespräch mit Patrick Thomas, Hermès. Der Spiegel. http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-90254957.html. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  50. Bain & Company (2017). Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study, Fall-Winter 2017. http://www.bain.de/Images/BAIN_REPORT_Global_Luxury_Report_2017.pdf. Accessed 13 February 2018.

  51. Prada Group (2017). H1 2017 Results. https://www.pradagroup.com/en/investors/investor-relations/results-presentations.html. Accessed 14 February 2018.

  52. Wilken, M. (2013). Prada mit Rekordzahlen. Fabeau. Fashion Business News, http://www.fabeau.de/news/prada-mit-rekordzahlen/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  53. Kapferer, J. N. (2012). The Luxury Strategy: Break the Rules of Marketing to Build Luxury Brands. London: Kogan Page Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Simon, H. (2009). Hidden Champions of the 21st Century. New York: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  55. Reidel, M. (2014, December 11). Hintergrund. Wir kaufen keine Freunde. Horizont, No. 50, p. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Lasslop, I. (2002). Identitätsorientierte Führung von Luxusmarken. In H. Meffert, C. Burmann, & M. Koers (Eds.), Markenmanagement (pp.327–351). Heidelberg: Gabler.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Anonymous. (2014). Erfolgreiche Marken nutzen alle Vertriebswege. Auch die Discounter. http://www.absatzwirtschaft.de/erfolgreiche-marken-nutzen-alle-vertriebswege-auch-die-discounter-2747/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  58. Anonymous. (2010). Erwartungshaltung bei Premiumprodukten hört nicht beim Produkt auf. http://www.absatzwirtschaft.de/erwartungshaltung-an-premiummarken-hoert-nicht-beim-produkt-auf-9387. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  59. Little, A. D. (1992). Management von Spitzenqualität. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  60. Canoy, M., & Peitz, M. (1997). The Differentiation Triangle. The Journal of Industrial Economics, 45(3), 305–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Anonymous. (2008, June 24). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 14.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Quelch, J. A. (1987). Marketing the Premium Product. Business Horizons, 30(3), 38–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Gruner & Jahr (2003, December 29). Nudeln, Kartoffelprodukte und Reis. Märkte+Tendenzen, pp. 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Hayward, S. (1990). Opportunities in the Middle Market. Marketing Research, 2(3), 65–67.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Cronshaw, M., Davis, E., & Kay, J. (1994). On Being Stuck in the Middle or Good Food Costs Less at Sainsbury’s. British Journal of Management, 5(1), 19–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Sharp, B., & Dawes, J. (2001). What is Differentiation and how Does it Work? Journal of Marketing Management, 17(7–8), 739–759.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Anonymous. (2014, December). Lebensmittelzeitung, p. 31.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Krohn, P. (2015, January 19). Das Enfant terrible unter den Versicherern. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, p. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Kowitt, B. (2015, March 15). It’s IKEA’s World. Fortune, pp. 74–83.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Anonymous. (2014). Deutschlands Discounter sind angriffslustig wie lange nicht mehr. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/finanzen/meine-finanzen/geld-ausgeben/aldi-und-lidl-deutschlands-discounter-sind-angriffslustig-wie-lange-nicht-mehr-13297814.html. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  72. Aldi Süd (2015). ALDI SÜD oder: Die Konzentration auf das Wesentliche. https://unternehmen.aldi-sued.de/de/ueber-aldi-sued/philosophie/. Accessed 19 February 2015.

  73. Anonymous. (2014, November 11). Ryanair will das Amazon der Lüfte werden. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Laudenbach, P. (2011). Schwerpunkt Großorganisation, Geiz ist geil. Service ist geiler. http://www.brandeins.de/archiv/2011/grossorganisation/geiz-ist-geil-service-ist-geiler/. Accessed 10 February 2015.

  75. Prahalad, C. K. (2010). The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid. New Jersey: Financial Times Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  76. Mahajan, V., & Banga, K. (2006). The 86% Solution: How to Succeed in the Biggest Market Opportunity of the 21st Century. New Jersey: FT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Renault (2017). Annual Financial Report 2016. https://group.renault.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dr-2016-version-anglaise.pdf. Accessed 14 February 2018.

  78. Interview with former Siemens CEO Peter Löscher at the Asia-Pacific Conference in Singapore on May 14, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Anonymous. (2007, March 30). VDI-Nachrichten, p. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Ernst, H., Dubiel, A., & Fischer, M. (2009). Industrielle Forschung und Entwicklung in Emerging Markets. Motive, Erfolgsfaktoren, Best-Practice Beispiele. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  81. Govindarajan, V., & Trimble, C. (2013). Reverse Innovation: Create far from Home, Win Everywhere. Boston: Harvard Business Press.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Hanke, G. (2014, March 21). Essay Pfeile im Köcher Aldis. Pressenkungen zeigen Wirkung. Lebensmittelzeitung, No. 12, p. 32.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Alexander, S. (2016). The Clooney Effect? Pods Set to Overtake Instant and Ground Coffee, The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/the-clooney-effect-pods-set-to-overtake-instant-and-ground-coffe/. Accessed 01 December 2016.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Simon, H., Fassnacht, M. (2019). Price Strategy. In: Price Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99456-7_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics