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Brute force or stealthy inroads? The subtleties of effective price increases

Robert G. Docters (This article is adapted from the book Winning the Profit Game. Smarter Pricing, Smarter Branding (McGraw‐Hill, Spring 2004). Robert G. Docters is a partner in the boutique strategy consultancy i2 Parners, LLP in New York. i2 Parners specializes in pricing and technology strategies for B2B businesses (rob@i2partners.com).)
Michael R. Reopel (Michael R. Reopel is a senior officer in A.T. Kearney’s strategy practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he has worked with clients in industries from energy and high‐tech to aerospace and telecommunications (mike.reopel@atkearney.com).)
Jeanne‐Mey Sun (Jeanne‐Mey Sun is a manager in A.T. Kearney’s strategy practice. An economist by training, Jeanne‐Mey specializes in applied microeconomics, industrial organization, and econometrics (jeanne‐mey.sun@atkearney.com).)
Stephen M. Tanny (Stephen M. Tanny is a Professor at the University of Toronto, he is Chief Economist for Ernst & Young, LLP (tanny@math.utoronto.ca).)

Journal of Business Strategy

ISSN: 0275-6668

Article publication date: 1 June 2004

705

Abstract

For many companies, raising prices can result in customer defections and reduced volumes. The right strategy for increasing prices can result in increased customer satisfaction and fewer defections. Several approaches for raising prices involve changing the customer value proposition at the same time as changing the price. This makes it harder for customers to identify the changes and they are less likely to react. Finally, a close examination of lifecycle patterns in customer usage allows companies to structure their prices so that customers “grow” into a price increase over time.

Keywords

Citation

Docters, R.G., Reopel, M.R., Sun, J. and Tanny, S.M. (2004), "Brute force or stealthy inroads? The subtleties of effective price increases", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 50-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756660410537008

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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