Watch Your Net Margin Grow with
Retail Price Optimization
The savvy retail consumer is not a new concept. For well over a decade, they've been price matching online before buying in store, hunting for sales and even jumping in on cashback, rebate and loyalty apps to save a few bucks. So what's changed?
A few things: competition is growing faster than ever, all sizes of retailers are updating pricing daily and the abundance of new data results in analysis paralysis. Retail price optimization can identify ideal price points to deliver sustainable same-store sales. Having a solid retail price optimization plan is really the only way forward.
What Retail Price Optimization Models Can Do for Your Business
Retail price optimization has grown up in the last few years. Thanks to retail price optimization software using machine learning, what was once difficult and time consuming is easier. Now you are able to combine historical and current pricing and consumer data to model or predict what would happen if there's a price change.
Watch VideoSee bottom-line improvements quickly
Retail price optimization allows you to optimize pricing for specific products, seasons and stores by using data to analyze lost sales, inventory turn, selling patterns and more. It helps you identify products that could be sold for more and products that should probably be lowered.
Predict your consumer's behavior
Test different pricing optimization models prior to rolling them out to see the impact a specific price change will have on your sales. This allows you to target certain behavior patterns in segments of customers and price accordingly.
Automating pricing reduces your effort and risk
When you automate the entire process, you’ll have fewer mistakes due to human error. It's less cumbersome on your employees and you can react to market changes more accurately and in real time.
Retail Price Optimization Software uses Machine Learning to Get You Results
Machine learning essentially streamlines the process of collecting and analyzing your retail data. Machine learning algorithms create software simulations of your market that can be tested and constantly improved. Variables such as weather, historical data, marketing campaigns and seasonal inventories can be factored in.
This market simulation allows for more complex strategies to be explored and implemented. It also helps you keep up with changing consumer expectations, and even supply chain trends.
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Learn MoreThe Top Retail Industry Pricing Metrics to Track in 2022
The following are important metrics to track. However, by paying special attention to how these metrics have changed over time, you can identify issues that may need to be addressed. For example, you may find that free shipping could begin to impact your revenue.
Trip counts
The number of times any customer visits your brick-and-mortar or online store.
Average basket sizes
How much of your product is purchased per visit to a store (online or in house)?
Online vs. brick-and-mortar store sales
How did your online channels fare compared to your physical locations?
Comparable store sales
How did sales compare between similar stores based on region or size?
Inventory control
Is your inventory keeping up with demand?
Unit volume, average price, gross margin, revenue
Did the numbers increase or decrease year over year, store by store, etc.?
Free shipping costs
How much was spent in free shipping costs?
Paid shipping costs
How much was spent in paid shipping costs?
Retail Industry Pricing in 2022: Strategies, Trends & Tips
Stay on top of your company’s pricing game.
Learn MoreMore Retail Price Optimization Resources
Unify Pricing Across All Your Retail Channels
Set pricing across your channels without cannibalizing profits or customer loyalty.
Pricing in Excel: Your Very Own Black Box of Despair
Pricing in Excel is holding you back in ways you might not even realize.
How to Get Your Retail Pricing Data Analytics Ready
Start the retail pricing optimization process off on the right foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retail price optimization?
Price optimization is the process of using data from customers and the retail market to predict the outcomes of different pricing strategies. This helps to generate the most effective price to maximize sales or profitability. To balance revenue, retention and growth, you have to understand how much your customers are willing to pay.
Willingness to pay is the maximum price at which your customers will likely buy – making it a crucial factor in setting the best price while also meeting company objectives such as increasing profit margins, customer growth or both. Historically, analyzing data was time consuming and difficult. New advancements in Artificial Intelligence and price optimization software in general have changed this.
What is a price optimization model?
Price optimization models use mathematical algorithms to analyze price changes and their effect on consumer demand. They factor in cost-related information such as price points, margin of sales, inventory levels, competitor pricing and promotions and discounts.
These models are used to forecast future demand for products and services, maintain efficient inventory levels, build promotional strategies and more.
How do you build a price optimization model?
A price optimization model can help you set initial prices, discount prices or promotional prices. These are the steps to build an accurate model:
- Gather and analyze historical data.
- Understand what makes your customer tick.
- Clearly define your business goals.
- Set pricing tiers.
- Regularly review results and adjust pricing accordingly.
What are the most common retail pricing strategies?
The three most common retail pricing strategies are:
High-Low Pricing: This is when a product or service is introduced at a higher price point and then gradually discounted as demand decreases. When to use it? When you don't have sales history on the item.
Everyday Low Pricing: This is when a product or service is consistently offered at a low price. When to use it? If you are a discount retailer who is focused on keeping prices lower than your competition.
Value-based Pricing: This is when you base your product or service's price on how much the customer believes it's worth. When to use it? When the perceived value of the product is high.
Pricefx Can Help You Reach Your Retail Profit Goals
Speak to a Pricefx expert to learn more about retail price software, how to get started or ask us any questions you may have. We’re happy to help.