Customers have a legitimate drive to make themselves better off. They should do that. However, if they assume that the only way they can become better off is receiving the benefits of your goods & services bundle at a lower price, then they may walk themselves into a corner that is not in their best interest.
Of all the awkward moments to arrive....
One has to admire companies whose revenue comes from discretionary consumer spending, yet are booming in this economy.
Take, for example, a Chicago company that is experiencing head-over-heels growth because of what they’ve done to fit the times we’re in. No, not Groupon – even though they would certainly qualify.
The Institute for Supply Management’s prices-paid index jumped to 81.5 in January, the highest level in more than two years, reflecting climbing costs for metals, chemicals and even soybean oil, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said today.
“One way stores attempt to beat this price-comparison game [while in a store, using smartphones to check online for better prices elsewhere] is by stocking products that manufacturers have slightly modified exclusively for them, signaling the phone that no other store has the product.”
Phone Wielding Shoppers Strike Fear Into Retailers