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Loss-leader pricing and upgrades

Author

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  • In, Younghwan
  • Wright, Julian

Abstract

A new theory of loss-leader pricing is provided in which firms advertise low (below cost) prices for certain goods to signal that their other unadvertised (substitute) goods are not priced too high. The theory is applied to the pricing of upgrades. The results contrast with most existing loss-leader theories in that firms make a loss on some consumers (who buy the basic version of the good) and a profit on others (who buy the upgrade).

Suggested Citation

  • In, Younghwan & Wright, Julian, 2014. "Loss-leader pricing and upgrades," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 19-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:122:y:2014:i:1:p:19-22
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2013.10.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Glenn Ellison, 2005. "A Model of Add-On Pricing," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(2), pages 585-637.
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    4. Antonio Rosato, 2016. "Selling substitute goods to loss-averse consumers: limited availability, bargains, and rip-offs," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 47(3), pages 709-733, August.
    5. Duncan Simester, 1997. "Note. Optimal Promotion Strategies: A Demand-Sided Characterization," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(2), pages 251-256, February.
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    7. James D. Hess & Eitan Gerstner, 1987. "Loss Leader Pricing and Rain Check Policy," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 6(4), pages 358-374.
    8. DeGraba, Patrick, 2006. "The loss leader is a turkey: Targeted discounts from multi-product competitors," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 613-628, May.
    9. Duncan Simester, 1995. "Signalling Price Image Using Advertised Prices," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(2), pages 166-188.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ersoy, Fulya Yuksel & Hasker, Kevin & Inci, Eren, 2016. "Parking as a loss leader at shopping malls," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 98-112.
    2. Arnar Buason & Dadi Kristofersson & Kyrre Rickertsen, 2021. "Habits in frequency of purchase models: the case of fish in France," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(31), pages 3577-3589, July.
    3. repec:but:manage:v:4:y:2014:i:1:p:83-95 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Asian Development Bank Institute, 2017. "Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Asia: Trends, Impacts, and Reforms - Integrative Report," Working Papers id:11807, eSocialSciences.
    5. Nikola Perovic, 2014. "Psychological Pricing in Modern Retailing: The Case of Wine Sector in Hard-Discounter Chains of Russia," The International Journal of Economic Behavior - IJEB, Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest, vol. 4(1), pages 83-95.
    6. Hittinger, Eric & Lueken, Roger, 2015. "Is inexpensive natural gas hindering the grid energy storage industry?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 140-152.
    7. Matzke, Andreas & Volling, Thomas & Spengler, Thomas S., 2016. "Upgrade auctions in build-to-order manufacturing with loss-averse customers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 250(2), pages 470-479.
    8. Crisan Lucian Ciprian, 2014. "U.S. Navy Seals - A Role model for the modern leadership," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 0902784, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Signaling; Loss leader; Advertising; Upgrades;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • M37 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Advertising

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