Probabilistic selling vs. markdown selling: Price discrimination and management of demand uncertainty in retailing

Markdown selling (i.e., price reductions over the course of the selling season) is a strategy to implement price discrimination and to manage market uncertainty that has been widely adopted by retailers. This paper explores the potential advantage of introducing an additional tool to the arsenal of retailers, probabilistic selling (i.e., offering consumers a choice to buy a product that can turn out to be any item from a predetermined set of distinct items). We show that both probabilistic and markdown selling strategies serve as price discrimination tools by offering buyers an option to purchase a “damaged” good (an uncertain product under the former and delayed consumption of a product under the latter). However, the two strategies segment markets based on different types of buyer heterogeneity: buyer preference strength under probabilistic selling and buyer patience under markdown selling. Our analytical model reveals that, compared with markdown selling, probabilistic selling can (1) improve margin management by increasing revenue from full-price sales and reducing the magnitude of discounts; and (2) improve inventory utilization by reducing stockouts and the amount of excess inventory. We identify the conditions required for probabilistic selling to be more profitable than markdown selling.     

The Impact of Innovativeness and Development Time on New Product Performance for Small Firms

Timing is becoming a new source of competitive advantage. The business press extols the benefits of faster product development. This paper examines whether competitive advantage can be gained by reducing development time across all types of new products or whether this advantage is restricted to certain types of new products. It proposes that product innovativeness moderates the relationship between development time and initial market performance. A survey of 110 small manufacturing firms in computer related industries supports the hypothesis. The survey findings indicate that a firm must guard against over- or under-development of the new product since product innovativeness was found to influence the impact of development time on market performance. The implications for managers are: beware of bringing a new product that is too much, too early or too little, too late.     

顾客参与新产品开发的绩效影响:产品创新类型的调节效应

顾客参与企业新产品开发对新产品开发绩效有着重要影响,在处于转型经济背景下的中国进行相关研究更有着极为重要的战略意义。文章以B-B市场中的制造企业为研究对象,构建了以产品创新类型为调节变量的顾客参与对新产品开发绩效差异化影响的调节效应模型。研究表明,顾客参与对新产品开发时间绩效与创新绩效的积极影响会受到产品创新类型的调节作用;但产品创新类型对顾客参与和财务绩效关系的调节影响不显著。     

Improving New Product Quality: An Empirical Study of Product Development Teams in Taiwan

ABSTRACT

The role of team and organizational factors affecting new product quality and their interactions as moderating the effects are examined. Results from a domestic study suggest that new product quality is positively affected by information capability in the team and quality orientation in the firm; in contrast, it is negatively related to the innovativeness of the new product as seen by the firm and speed-to-market pressure in the team. However, teams' information capabilities alleviate the negative effect of innovativeness on quality. Quality orientation lessens the relationship between information capability and new product quality. Functional diversity and tenure diversity do not affect new product quality. In addition, managerial implications and directions for future research are proposed.     

Private labels and new product development

This paper provides a positive theory of private labels in new product development when a non-integrated distribution channel is faced with demand uncertainty. We consider a regular marketing environment in which a manufacturer endowed with a branded product seeks to design a new product to resolve its retailer’s mis-targeting problem and to optimally screen consumers. Assuming that only linear pricing schemes are available and that the retailer learns the state of demand earlier than the manufacturer does, we show that the presence of a private label always improves channel efficiency. Moreover, a private label is more likely to prevail when the existing branded product is a premium item.

The impact of formal processes for market information acquisition and utilization on the performance of Chinese new ventures

The authors examine the performance impact of formal market information processes. Specifically, a theoretical model is developed that hypothesizes that formal processes for market information acquisition and utilization have direct and positive main effects on new venture success and is then tested using a sample of 222 new ventures located in China. Findings indicate that new venture success is positively correlated with the use of formal processes for market information acquisition and use. Moreover, the relative importance of formal processes to the acquisition and use of market information depends on whether the new venture serves an emerging or established market. In particular, the impact of formal processes for information acquisition is higher among new ventures that serve emerging markets. In contrast, the impact of formal processes for information use is higher among new ventures that serve established markets. We present managerial implications of our results. For example, a new venture with a strong market orientation can respond quickly to emerging marketplace needs, and can even seize the advantage from incumbents. If it is in an emerging market, however, the new venture management team should strive to excel at information acquisition; in an established market, it is important for the management team to excel at information utilization.     

Assessing the Dimensions of Product Variety on Performance: The Value of Product Line and Pack Size

This article studies the impacts of product variety along two dimensions: product‐line variety and pack‐size variety. Previous research has often found that increased product variety is associated with increased sales. Interestingly, we find that this is not always the case, once the negative impact of product variety on fill rates is introduced. Specifically, product‐line variety has a positive total effect on sales, but pack‐size variety has a negative total effect on sales. We also investigate potential nonlinear impacts (with decreasing marginal effects) of product‐line and pack‐size variety, and find the result to be one of diminishing returns.     

中国财政货币政策协调配合范式选择

十九大报告指出,推动经济高质量发展是当前和今后确定发展思路、制定经济政策、实施宏观调控的根本要求。据此,本文构建新凯恩斯DSGE模型,采用Markov-Switch方法对我国财政货币政策搭配体制估计识别并进行数值模拟,以系统考察不同政策搭配下的经济波动性,最后借以探讨保障经济行稳致远的最优政策组合。经验估计表明,改革开放以来我国主要遵循以主动型财政政策和被动型货币政策组合为主的宏观调控范式。进一步的数值模拟发现,充分考虑物价稳定的主动型货币政策和充分考虑债务稳定的被动型财政政策组合更易消化外生冲击导致的经济波动,而主动型财政政策和被动型货币政策组合熨平经济周期的效果最差。为此,本文认为未来政府宏观调控应从以主动型财政政策和被动型货币政策为主的协调配合范式逐步转向以主动型货币政策和被动型财政政策为主的协调配合范式,以全面提升宏观调控效率,并为推动新时代中国经济高质量发展营造稳定的宏观经济环境。     

产品伤害危机属性对横向溢出效应的影响研究——产品相似性和企业声誉的调节作用

产品伤害危机不仅会降低危机产品的销售,还可能负面影响非危机产品,形成横向溢出效应。文章归纳提出产品伤害危机危害性、责任性、无德性、违约性和频发性等五个主要属性,探索这五个属性对产品伤害危机横向溢出的影响,并识别出企业声誉和产品相似性两个重要的调节变量。研究发现,危害性、无德性和责任性较高的产品伤害危机更容易产生横向溢出,企业声誉和产品相似性仅能调节部分产品伤害危机属性对横向溢出的影响,并且它们具有双重调节作用。     

The Transition from Product to Solution Selling: The Role and Organization of Employees Engaged in Current Business

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This research investigates how to manage and organize existing employees when launching a solution sales strategy, specifically addressing whether it is possible to migrate existing sales representatives active in product sales to solution sales, and whether it is possible to combine the roles.

Methodology/approach: A case-based approach was applied to a multinational firm, engaged in business-to-business sales that simultaneously launched a solution sales strategy in 17 countries. In-depth interviews with 29 managers and sales representatives were performed to inductively identify why some countries succeeded in the launch, while others did not.

Findings: Because of fundamental differences in approach between solution and product sales, those countries where the solutions and product businesses were separated performed better. The difference in required capabilities and mindset meant that migrating sales representatives from product to solution sales is problematic.

Research implications: This research offers evidence of differences in mindset and approach between different marketing and sales strategies, extending the conclusions to how these differences affect the possibility of migrating existing sales representatives when launching a new selling strategy. Whether to separate service and product sales has been debated. The present results indicate that separating the current product business from the new solution business facilitates the successful implementation of the new strategy. In the case company, the solutions represent a mixture of product and services, suggesting that the problem is not the difference between products and services, but rather different selling strategies and approaches that require different capabilities.

Practical implications: When launching a solution sales strategy, the solution business should be separated from the current product business at both the organizational and personnel levels. Solution sales necessitates a particular approach and capabilities, making it unadvisable to transfer sales representatives and managers to the new solution business based solely on previous product sales success. Instead, a new skill profile must be developed taking account of the requirements of a demand-driven solution strategy.

Originality/value/contribution: Consensus is lacking as to whether to separate product and service businesses. This article extends the debate to the field of solution

sales, demonstrating that separation is needed to succeed in launching a solution sales strategy. Furthermore, this research extends our knowledge of the difference in approaches between different selling strategies, covering the possibility of successfully migrating existing sales representatives to a different selling strategy.     

New Product Introduction and Seasonality Effect in Food Products Retailing

ABSTRACT

This study aims to measure the effects of market demand and seasonality on new product introduction. Major factors contributing the variability of market demand and seasonality of new products have been discussed in reference to timing of introducing new products, variability of consumer preferences, retail sales, and product promotion. The study is based on 243 new products in selected self-service stores in Mexico, which belong to major food products sectors for the reference period 2002–2006. Results of the study reveal that market demand and seasonality factors are most important for the timing of new product introductions, as such conditions determine success of the new products in a given market.     

The Perfect Fit: The Moderating Role of Selling Cues on Hedonic and Utilitarian Product Types

With the need among retailers to create effective promotional campaigns, scarcity, and popularity cues are increasingly used. Drawing from regulatory focus and popularity versus scarcity cues literature, this research explores the impact of popularity versus scarcity cues and product types on consumer perceptions of risk, product uniqueness, and purchase intentions. Results from three studies provide primary insights: (1) A utilitarian product aligns with prevention goals and hence the popularity cue will enhance consumers’ purchase intentions, and (2) a hedonic product aligns with promotion goals and hence the scarcity cue will enhance consumers’ purchase intentions. Further, we theorize that perceived risk and perceived product uniqueness will act as psychological mechanisms. We discuss theoretical contributions and strategic insights for retailers and marketers that the findings indicate.     

浅议开展营销策划教学的必要性

随着经济体制改革的深入进行,营销策划在企业中越来越受到重视。如何培养高质量策划类人才,以满足企业发展的需要成为当前社会需要解决的一个问题。本文对营销策划的重要性以及如何培养营销策划人才进行了论述。     

Market-Oriented New Product Design of Functional Orange Juice Beverages: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

The functional beverages category is considered one of the most significant drivers of new product development (NPD) in recent years. Fifteen in-depth interviews and three focus groups were held between February and March 2003 to identify the most important attributes influencing consumers' purchase decisions for orange juice, and to explore consumers' attitudes towards existing and new functional orange juice beverages. The results suggested that functional food and beverage manufacturers should place a greater emphasis on the base product when evaluating new product concepts. This study highlighted the key role of qualitative research in facilitating the integration of consumers with the concept stage of the NPD process.     

The Moderating Effect of Product Category Knowledge and Attribute Importance on the Attraction Effect

This paper explores the moderating effect of product category knowledge and attribute importance on the attraction effect. The results of our study point to several boundary conditions of the effect. For consumers who have a moderate level of product category knowledge, and for consumers who assign more importance to one product attribute over the other, the attraction effect was strongest. In contrast, the attraction effect was diminished, in some cases to insignificant levels, for consumers with a high or low level of product category knowledge, and for consumers who consider both product attributes about equally important.     

基于价格竞争理论的旅行社产品创新策略研究

目前,国内旅行社产品低价竞争状况严重。旅行社产品在产品同质化的情况下,价格必然成为影响旅游消费者购买偏好的决定性因素,只有施行差异化竞争战略才能有效规避低价竞争;同时旅行社必须充分了解并有效把握市场需求,在产品中不断添加创新元素,创造性的以新产品引导消费,通过品牌识别和服务创新巩固旅行社产品差异化,才能不断强化旅行社产品的排他性,持久增强旅行社企业的竞争优势。     

The dramatic breakdown of the market orientation concept in the pharmaceutical industry: lessons from Vioxx

In this article we present an in-depth case study to better understand the underlying market orientation concept in relation to bringing new technologies to the marketplace. We use the case history of the anti-arthritis drug Vioxx, developed and marketed by the company Merck & Co. Inc that allegedly killed thousands of customers. The case shows how market orientation can take shape and how the key components may form an explosive cocktail prone to problematic behaviour rather than a synergistic set of orientations that creates value for customers. From the data covering 20 years, it is clear that a consumer orientation and competitor orientation, for example, are difficult to internalise and balance by employees. A competitive orientation seems to lead to tunnel vision regarding profit and market share outcomes. Implications for the fundamental market orientation concept, innovation management, together with management challenges are discussed.     

全流通时代大股东股份减持的问题与对策

股权分置改革完成后,大股东所持有的限售股取得了上市流通权。为了满足自身利益最大化的要求,大股东频频在二级市场上进行股份减持。根据我国资本市场的实际,在大股东股权减持的过程中暴露出一些主要问题,所以需要采取一些针对性的对策措施,包括丰富大股东出售股票的渠道,严格信息披露,弱化大股东的信息垄断优势,建立健全大股东股份减持的制度规定等措施。     

The impact of trade facilitation on poverty and inequality: Evidence from low- and middle-income countries

This paper using a trade model of imperfect competition and product differentiation, examines the welfare effects of two popular tariff-tax reforms: (i) a tariff cut combined with an equal increase in the consumption tax and (ii) a tariff cut combined with an increase in the consumption tax that leaves the consumer price of the imported good unchanged. It is shown that if tax revenues are lump-sum distributed and firms compete over prices, then coordinated tariff-tax reforms improve welfare for a low degree of product differentiation, whereas these reforms are welfare-reducing for any degree of product differentiation under Cournot competition. When, instead, revenues are used to finance the provision of public goods, then the total effect of these reforms on welfare depends, under plausible assumptions, on the strength of the consumer's valuation of the public good.     

Selling Versus Leasing of Durable Goods: The Impact on Marketing Channels

While many durable products are sold through intermediaries, there is limited understanding of how channel performance is influenced by transactions involving durable goods in a competitive market. In particular, extant research shows that intermediaries can significantly impact the leasing versus selling policy of a monopolistic manufacturer. This article seeks to fill that gap by examining the selling versus leasing choice of duopolistic manufacturers in the context of decentralized channels. Our analysis demonstrates that in addition to the unique equilibrium of selling, a prisoner's dilemma may arise where both manufacturers are better off if they were to lease their products.