Price discrimination Essay Example
Price discrimination Essay Example

Price discrimination Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (873 words)
  • Published: December 8, 2018
  • Type: Case Study
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BA, the UK's biggest airline and national carrier, faces competition from budget airlines such as Ryannair and Easyjet. Given its large size and reputation for excellence, there are various ways in which BA could react. One strategy that many companies adopt is to use pricing based on competitive forces.

BA has the option to implement the going rate pricing strategy, which is suitable for situations when they do not want to engage in a price war and are concerned about potential loss of revenue. This technique can be advantageous, especially after the price war with Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic in 1998, where both airlines heavily reduced their prices. Branson declared that Virgin Atlantic would never be outdone by BA in terms of pricing and would continually provide superior quality. The effects of this price war reportedly cost BA millions of dollars. Thus, i

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n light of past events, going rate pricing may prove to be a favorable choice for BA.

Using competition-based pricing strategy, businesses can analyze the prices of their competitors and set their own prices accordingly. However, success in this strategy often hinges on having a strong brand identity, which British Airways (BA) does possess. Despite this advantage, this pricing strategy may not always align with consumer preferences and may not result in the optimal pricing. Another competition-based pricing strategy employed by BA is destroyer pricing, where prices are drastically reduced for a set length of time as determined by company executives. This tactic may be utilized to force competitors out of the market.

Using destroyer pricing would enable BA to lower their prices and force smaller competing companies out of the airline market. This strategy,

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however, comes with the disadvantage of potentially risking losses in order to make a profit. Shareholders may be hesitant to take on such a risky move and could potentially dispute with directors. Due to the risks involved, many businesses have stopped using this pricing strategy. In conclusion, I recommend implementing a going rate pricing strategy as the most optimal pricing approach.

BA has struggled with significant losses while attempting to eliminate competitor companies. Implementing going rate pricing enables market comparisons and prevents price wars. Additionally, BA's strong brand identity appeals to many consumers, potentially favoring them over other low-cost airlines. However, adopting destroyer pricing could lead to a negative outcome and ultimately force BA out of the market. In contrast, Easyjet has employed and experienced both effective and disadvantageous pricing strategies in recent years.

Easyjet has employed contribution pricing as one of its pricing strategies. This approach is advantageous because it allows for different prices to be charged for various destinations, which is understandable to customers, who are familiar with the concept of 'more miles, more money'. Moreover, it enables the business to have a clear comprehension of the service being provided. Nonetheless, contribution pricing may result in certain popular destinations becoming less popular because of the higher prices. Competitors might use this to their benefit by charging lower costs for destinations that Easyjet charges higher prices for. This can be an appealing way for alternative airlines to gain respect.

Easyjet has implemented a successful market-oriented strategy known as price discrimination. This approach offers several advantages, such as enticing consumers to book early to secure lower prices while discouraging those who book last minute and have to

pay more for the same service. Additionally, by implementing this strategy, Easyjet can track early bookings to determine popular flights and how many seats are filled. This approach also minimizes last-minute holiday bookings.

Easyjet benefits from price discrimination by charging higher prices during peak seasons, when many people want to travel to popular destinations such as Paris in June or the Alps in December. This strategy ensures customer demand and travel certainty, while caution must be taken not to set prices too high and discourage bookings. Easyjet has also adopted going rate pricing, enabling easy comparisons and a broad range of choices. Unlike many businesses that lower prices competitively at their own peril, Easyjet adjusts its prices according to its competitors to avoid price wars, using costplus pricing to maintain profitability through markups.

Easyjet is a top player in the market, thanks to their wide range of popular services, including the ITV series 'Airline' and various forms of advertising. They hold the power to set prices which competitors will strive to follow. As airline travel continues to grow in popularity in the UK, with numbers rising from 4 million in 1958 to 224 million in 2006, many other companies are implementing successful customer relationship strategies.

To keep both shareholders and customers satisfied, it is important to implement effective pricing strategies. Easyjet's pricing strategies have been successful, positioning the airline as a low cost carrier. The most successful strategy, in my opinion, is Easyjet's price discrimination approach. In 2005, the airline charged premium prices for flights to destinations in Greece and Barcelona during Champions League games, resulting in an estimated profit of ?3 million.

It's been about 10 years since

customers have noticed that Easyjet increases prices during peak times and holidays, which has become a common practice of price discrimination. As a result of their effective pricing strategies, I think Easyjet will continue to see good profits in the upcoming years.

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