skip to Main Content
premium pricing

Premium Pricing: Can Your Distribution Company Command Premium Pricing?

Premium pricing is a strategy where a distribution company sets its prices higher than most of its competitors in order to create perceived value, higher brand quality and even luxury (e.g., premium lighting and bath fixtures). This is often used by companies that sell new, high-tech and popular brand products, as customers are willing to pay a premium price if they have a positive brand perception. When companies use this strategy, they may charge more than their production costs in order to get a high profit margin. It is important to note that this strategy works best when users perceive the product as a premium one.

Why Would A Distributor Use A Premium Pricing Strategy?

There are several reasons why companies might choose to use premium pricing. One of the main reasons is that it can help create a sense of exclusivity and luxury around the product. When something is seen as being exclusive or high-end, people are often willing to pay more for it. Additionally, premium pricing can help a company achieve higher margins and increased profits. By charging more than its competitors, the distributor can make more money on each sale. Finally, premium pricing can also be used to signal quality and distinction. If consumers believe that a product is high-quality, they may be more likely to pay a higher price for it.

How Does A Distributor Set Its Prices For These Kinds of Products?

When a distributor chooses to use a premium pricing strategy, it is typically looking to charge a higher price for its products than what is being offered by its competitors. This can be a tricky endeavor, as the distributor needs to make sure that the price it sets is one that customers will be willing to pay.

There are a few things to take into account when setting prices using a premium pricing strategy. One of the most important factors is the cost of the product. The distribution company needs to make sure that it is earning enough money on each sale to cover its costs and turn a profit. Premium brands cost you more as well. Many companies approach premium products from a cost-based cost-plus pricing strategy. Additionally, it is important to consider what the competition is charging for similar products. If the distributor charges too much, customers may be willing to switch to a competitor’s product. While it is difficult to research, market-based pricing can be critical when considering just how high you can set your premium pricing.

Most importantly, a distributor should use a price optimization solution to maximize the profit they can achieve with premium products. You do not want to leave additional profit on the table when offering top brands and a pricing optimization solution can help you determine the right mix of price and profit for each of your product and customer segments.

Ultimately, pricing is a very complex decision and there is no one perfect answer. It is best to use sophisticated analytics to drive a profitably strategy. A distributor that uses a premium pricing strategy needs to carefully weigh all of the factors involved before setting final prices and without the right solutions to support your decisions you could be eroding your profit.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Premium Pricing

When it comes to pricing your products and services, you have a few different options to choose from. One of those options is premium pricing, which entails charging more for your offerings than what is typically charged in your market. There are a number of benefits to using premium pricing, including:

1. Maximizing revenue – By charging more for each transaction, you can maximize your revenue. This is especially important for businesses that rely on sales volume to make a profit.

2. Setting yourself apart from the competition – By charging more than your competitors, you can make it clear that your products and services are of a higher quality and come with greater value. This can help you attract customers who are willing to pay a premium for the best possible experience.

3. Increased profitability – When you charge more for your products and services, you typically see increased profitability as a result. This is because you’re able to cover the costs of doing business while also making a profit on each sale.

4. Attracting high-value customers – By charging more, you can attract high-value customers who are willing to pay more for what you offer. This can help you improve your customer base and increase sales over time.

While there are certainly some risks associated with using premium pricing, the benefits listed above can be quite significant for businesses that execute it correctly. If you’re thinking about using premium pricing in your own business, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.

What Are The Downsides Of Using This Strategy?

There are a few potential downsides of using a premium pricing strategy. First, it may be more expensive for customers to purchase your product or service. All things equal, that will decrease the demand for your products and you will have to consider what is the mix of price and market demand that will maximize your profitability. Because customers may be less likely to buy it if they feel that the price is too high, it can reduce the effectiveness of strategies based on frequent purchasing and higher purchasing quantities. Also, you may find it difficult to attract new customers if your prices are too high. You may get a reputation as the top distributor who is also the most expensive. Customers will come to you for top brands, services and advice but will buy the lion share of their commoditized products elsewhere.

Some critical drivers of profit for distribution companies include the number of lines per order and the number of turns you can make on your inventory. A premium pricing strategy can reduce your success in both of these areas even though the revenue per item may increase.

An Example Of Premium Pricing In Durable Good Distribution

You may feel that there are only a few construction products that command premium pricing. Distributors often feel like they are price-takers when it comes to common items. But as we discussed above, technology and brand perceptions are powerful drivers of price elasticity. One example is roofing shingles. There are a variety of types of shingles available, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. The most popular type of shingle is the asphalt shingle. Asphalt shingles are made from an asphalt-based material and come in a variety of colors. They are also relatively affordable, making them a popular choice for homeowners.

However, there are other types of roofing shingles that command a higher price tag. If you want a roof that will last longer and look great, then you may want to consider investing in some slate or cedar shingles. Slate shingles are made from natural slate and are known for their durability and beauty. Cedar shingles are made from cedar wood and have a natural resistance to decay and pests. While both of these options cost more than asphalt shingles, they can be well worth the investment if you want a long-lasting roof that will add value to a home.

In these cases, you may have a blended strategy of using both premium and cost-plus pricing. This underscores the importance of using consulting and technology to optimize your pricing strategy across all of your inventory. Please visit our solution guide of price optimization solutions to learn more.

Campbell Frazier has been involved in distribution technology for over 25 years including close work with many leading distributors on pricing, price optimization, profit analysis and more. As editor-in-chief of distribution-pricing.com, Campbell is bringing the latest in price optimization news, solutions and consulting to literally thousands of distributors across the globe.

Back To Top