Transcript lesson 3.4

LESSON 3.4
PRICING MERCHANDISE
GOALS
 Describe the methods buyers use to
calculate the cost of merchandise
 Calculate merchandise prices
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Calculating The Cost
 Everyone likes a “good deal”
 A good deal is an exchange in which you
think you received your money’s worth
 Bought a product that is worth more than
you paid for it
 As a retailer, you also need to purchase
merchandise that is a “good deal”
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Estimating the Price of Products
 A good buyer can estimate the cost
of making an item and the price a
customer will pay for it
 Ability comes from
Studying types of products
Learning about the materials,
production process and cost
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Estimating the Retail Price
 The buyer estimates the amount a
customer would be willing to pay for
the product
 From this estimated retail price the
buyer subtracts the amount the
retailer wants to earn on each sale
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Memorizing Prices
 Some retail buyers collect as much
pricing info as possible and
memorize it
 Problem if you run into something
completely new
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Building Up Prices
 Method used by buyers who are
very knowledgeable about the
products they buy and the process
of making the products.
 Estimate the cost of the material in a
dress, the labor needed to make it,
the cost of packaging and profit for
the vendor
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Buyer Discounts
 The price set by the vendor is the
list price
 Most retail buyers never pay list price
 Discounts are written as a
percentage off the list price
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Buyer Discounts
1. Trade discount



Also known as Functional discount
Given to the buyer for performing some
wholesale or retail service for the vendor
Written in Chain form “list less 40-20-10”

40% taken by you as the buyer, 20% and
10% by previous discounts in the chain
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Buyer Discounts
2. Quantity discount

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Offering a discount on large orders
Based on # of items ordered
3. Promotional discount

A retailer receives a promotional
discount for performing an advertising or
promotional service for the vendor

Discount may be lower price, or as free
additional merchandise
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Buyer Discounts
4. Seasonal discount
 Retailers can earn a seasonal
discount if they buy and take
delivery of products in the off
season
 Risky because a retailer needs to
hold merchandise
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Buyer Discounts
 Cash Discounts
 Retailers can be given a cash
discount for paying bills promptly
Usually offered when you pay bill before
it is due
May be written as “6/10 Net 30”
 6% discount if received in 10 days, balance
due in 30 days
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Buyer Discounts
 5/20 net 30
 5% discount if paid within 20 days,
balance due in 30 days
 4/10 net 60
 4% discount if paid within 10 days,
balance due in 60 days
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Factors that affect price
 The money earned from retail sales
must cover the expense of running
the business, the cost of the
merchandise, and the profit the
retail business wants to make
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Factors That Affect Price
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Expenses
Cost
Profit
Store
Demand
Competition
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Factors that Affect Price
1. Expenses
 All the money retailers spend to
operate the store, handle the
merchandise, and manage the
business
Employee salaries, bills, etc
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Factors that Affect Price
2. Cost
1. The money the retailers pay for the
merchandise
3. Profit
1. The amount of money left after the
costs and expenses are subtracted
from the sales
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Factors that Affect Price
4. Store

The type of store you offer could also
affect the price you charge
 Offer free delivery, gift wrapping can charge
higher price for items
5. Demand
1. Consumers desire to buy the product
2. Products in demand can be priced a bit
higher
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Factors that Affect Price
6. Competition
1. Compare your prices to the
competitors and price accordingly
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Price Policy
 A retailers can have several policies
that affect the price of the merchandise
 The policy is designed to affect the
customer’s impression of the store and
the store’s merchandise
 Price-line policy
 Price endings
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Price Line Policy
 A store that usually only has three
prices
 $16.95, $23.95, $36.95
 The customer can clearly categorize
the value and quality of each product
 Simplifies pricing, selling and
stocking
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Price Endings Policy
 Some retailers assign prices with odd
endings, such as $15.69 to all of their
merchandise
 Presents the image of a good value
 Some assign prices with even endings,
such as $15.50 or $20.00
 Presents image of high quality
 Don’t use both policies in the same store!
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Merchandise Markups
 Markup is the amount a retailer adds to
the cost of merchandise to calculate the
retail price.
 Markup is usually expressed as
percentage of the retail price.
Markup amount  Retail price = Markup percentage
Examples
$40.00  $100.00 = 40%
$50.00  $125.00 = 40%
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Initial Markup
 The difference between a product’s
cost and initial retail selling price
 Markdown: when a products price
has been reduced
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Merchandise Markdowns Reasons
 Buying Errors
Wrong styles, colors, quantity
 Pricing Errors
Priced too high
 Returned Items
Poor Inventory
 Seasonal or promotional reasons
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