Business studies marketing

Pricing policies:

Competitor - based pricing

• where the firm sets it's prices slightly lower or at the same level as their rivals.

Cost - based pricing

• total costs/total sales + profit (sum).

Skimming

• (usually used for a new product), where the price of the product is set high initially then the price would drop as it becomes settled on the market.

Penetration pricing

• low price is set at the beginning, to gain entry to market. Then it is raised as it become settled.

Destruction pricing (to drive competitors out)

• price set is lower than rivals. Even though a loss may be made they keep this low price until rivals are out of business then raise them again.

Price wars

• prices of goods are set low to attract consumers. They may buy other products while they are there.

• need for profit
• price of production
• competition in the market
• price market could bare
• season of the year
• quality of stock in hand

Demand is the quantity of goods which can be bought at a given price.

Factors causing change in demand for particular goods:

• price of goods
• customers tastes
• level of income
• price of the goods
• advertising
• credit rates

Advertising. Is done to:

• introduce a new product to the public
• remind public of existing products to boost their sales
• highlight information about products or events

Types of advertising:

• target- truthful
• persuasive- persuades public to buy their goods
• generic- general, not specific. Targets large groups

Methods of advertising:

• TV
• radio
• cinema
• vehicles
• hoardings and posters

Sales promotion methods:

• special offers
• discounts
• price reductions
• free samples
• customer loyalty cards

Sponsorship (events)

• company donates money to run events for a certain charity etc...
• in return the team kits will display the company's logo.

Public relations

• public's awareness of the business will be increased
• creates a loyalty with members of the public who will buy from the firm

• to protect consumers from false advertising

Legal constraints on promotion states that:

• goods must be accurately described
• Prices charged must be genuine
• all prices must include VAT
• country of origin must be visible on packaging

Trade descriptions acts, 1968 and 1972

This covers all information about:

• quantity and size
• method of manufacturing and testing
• place and date of manufacturing
• people who manufactured the product

The ASA was set up to monitor all advertising campaigns which are not broadcasted.

It's principles are, advertising must be:

• legal, decent, honest and truthful
• prepared with a sense of responsibility
• in line with principals of fair competition
• ensure public is not misled or offended by advertisements

The ASA regulates:

• press advertisements
• cinema commercials
• direct marketing
• sales promotion

• Regulates communication industries in the UK
• Protects against harmful offensive material

Ofcom's principals are to make sure that communication:

• adheres to rules on trust and decency
• is impartial
• does not give offense or cause harm
• sets high technical standards

• Promotes and protects interest of consumers
• Ensure businesses act fairly toward consumers

The office of fair trading has two main aims:

1. To protect consumers and explain their rights

2. Ensure that businesses compete open and fairly

This is important for producers to find out where the best place to sell their product will be. To do this they must consider:

• most appropriate sales outlet for that product
• most appropriate channel of distribution
• most appropriate method of transport

Parties involved in distribution

• manufacturer- produces goods that will end up with consumer. Eg, farmer, factory
• wholesaler - link between manufacturer and retailer. Purchases goods in bulk, then stores them for the retailer to buy in small quantities. Offers deliver services. They also save producers numerous transactions.
• Retailer - final seller of the goods to the consumer. Eg, shops, supermarkets. They break the bulk so consumers can buy in small amounts.
• consumer- final user of the product

The way in which products are passed from producer to consumer depends on:

• cost of product
• type of product
• life span of product
• competition
• demand for product

There are 3 main channels in common use:

1. Manufacturer to consumer via wholesaler and retailer

2. Manufacturer to consumer via retailer

3. Manufacturer to consumer directly

There are 544 million people using the Internet, this is a huge opportunity for businesses to expand their market to different counties and will obviously attract new consumers if they are smart abbot it.

Implications for distributing via the Internet are:

• products must be delivered in good condition, cheaply and on time.
• import and export regulations and shipping laws must be observed
• fleet of delivery vehicles

Depends on:

• is the product valuable
• is the product breakable
• how quickly is the product required
• how much will it cost for transport
• how far does the product need to be transported

The methods of transport are:

Air - fast, secure, only takes small loads, expensive

Sea - slow, secure, takes heavy loads, cheaper than air

Road - slow for large distances, can be used at any time

Rail - fast, small loads, cheaper than road

Pipeline

Product life cycle stages:
1. Research and development - before the product is place on the market. Market research takes place here. This stage can be lengthly for expensive products, but short for fashion items. It is expensive so the product is in a loss-making position.
2. Introduction - product is placed on the market. Sales increase but still not making any profit. Advertising campaigns get the public aware of the product.
3. Growth - sales increase rapidly. Prices can be dropped as it is settled and competitors will start to arise. Product is now in a profit making position.
4. Maturity - sales levels are maintained as it is established on the market. Competition is intense so advertising is relaunched in order to boost sales. It is it's highest profit making stage as it is now stablished.
5. Saturation - highest point of life. sales are no longer increasing as no new customers can be found. Competition in intense but no new competitors will arise. Profits are still being made.
6. Decline - sales have fallen so much that income cannot cover cost of production. If the business has planned for this stage then they will have a second product ready.

Legal constraints state that:

• goods must be of satisfactory quality
• goods must be fit for the purpose they were designed
• goods must not be under weight

Protects consumers from products that do not reach a responsible level of safety.

Products not covered by the act are:

• growing crops
• tobacco
• motor vehicles
• aircraft
• foods
• water