Read the following case study and answer question.

Sumit and Rachit are running a company processing coffee powder with a unique name 'Mad over Coffee'. It has a widely established market because of its excellent quality and distinct flavours. They don't have too many competitors in the market. As a result, they are in a position to keep the price of their products high. But the company is not providing after sales service. It doesn't take feedback from its customers. They soon realised this and bounced back. They appointed Raghav, a young energetic, as marketing manager. Raghav suggested diversification and expansion of staff. They added new flavours to their existing product range. They also ventured into tea processing, cocoa powder, and protein mix.

For this, he estimated the additional manpower requirement and finally after completing the staffing process, he managed to get a good team of sales personnel. He modified their packaging, making it more attractive and reusable. They started providing more details about their products on their labels. To promote their sales they started offering extra quantity (20% extra) in each pack.

A variety of programmes were designed by him to promote or protect the company's image and its individual products in the eyes of public.

They started advertising their products on TV and Social media.

"They were in a position to keep the price of their products very high".

Which factor affecting price determination make it possible?

Extent of competition in the market

The correct answer is option (4)- Extent of competition in the market.

The factor affecting price determination that made it possible for Sumit and Rachit to keep the price of their products very high, as mentioned in the case, is Extent of competition in the market.

Extent of Competition in the Market: Between the lower limit and the upper limit where would the price settle down? This is affected by the nature and the degree of competition. The price will tend to reach the upper limit in case there is lesser degree of competition while under conditions of free competition, the price will tend to be set at the lowest level Competitors’ prices and their anticipated reactions must be considered before fixing the price of a product. Not only the price but the quality and the features of the competitive products must be examined carefully, before fixing the price.

OTHER OPTIONS

• The Utility and Demand: While the product costs set the lower limits of the price, the utility provided by the product and the intensity of demand of the buyer sets the upper limit of price, which a buyer would be prepared to pay. In fact the price must reflect the interest of both the parties to the transaction—the buyer and the seller. The buyer may be ready to pay up to the point where the utility from the product is at least equal to the sacrifice made in terms of the price paid. The seller would, however, try to at least cover the costs. According to the law of demand, consumers usually purchase more units at a low price than at a high price.

• Pricing Objectives: Pricing objectives are another important factor affecting the fixation of the price of a product or a service. Generally the objective is stated to be maximise the profits. But there is a difference in maximising profit in the short run and in the long run. If the firm decides to maximise profits in the short run, it would tend to charge maximum price for its products. But if it is to maximise its total profit in the long run, it would opt for a lower per unit price so that it can capture larger share of the market and earn greater profits through increased sales.

• Marketing Methods Used: Price fixation process is also affected by other elements of marketing such as distribution system, quality of salesmen employed, quality and amount of advertising, sales promotion efforts, the type of packaging, product differentiation, credit facility and customer services provided. For example, if a company provides free home delivery, it has some of flexibility in fixing prices. Similarly, uniqueness of any of the elements mentioned above gives the company a competitive freedom in fixing prices of its products.