Retailers: Stay Ahead of the Competition

Best practices in price monitoring 4.8.2016. Reading Time: 2 minutes

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Lately, the competition on the market has increased the pressure on the product pricing process so greatly. Whenever companies realize the consumer spending is slowing down, they are trying to spend more time defending their market position and prices. Staying ahead of the competition may be tough, but it is not impossible – you just need to know how to deal with it in a smart way.

Here are some tips, based on our experience:

Know the competition: Being aware of who you compete against is extremely important. First, you need to spend more time sizing up the competition. Once you do it, you will be able to identify the areas you need to compete in. Moreover, it will help you find out the strengths and weaknesses of your business which is really helpful. Furthermore, you will then be able to identify the platforms which will help you differentiate your brand/service or improve the current weak sides of your company related to your brand/service.

Know your competitors: Initially, identifying who your competitors are is vital. When you decide to start investigating your competitors thoroughly, you may come across some surprising findings. For instance, you may find out that your competitors are not who you thought they were or your competitors can vary and differ from one another more than you think. That’s why trying to collect more information about them such as their offers, deals and unique points of their business is a key to maintaining a competitive edge. Whatever your competitors’ size and shape, do not underestimate any of them. Because they have all one common point: they all strive to beat rivals just like you. No matter how difficult it is, you can still save your company’s future with comprehensive and optimal strategies. (If you do not know where to start; let Price2Spy keep an eye on your competitors for you – so you can focus on making good decisions. To learn about Price2Spy more click here.)

Know your customers: The key factor in your business growth and development are customers. Customers can change their expectations dramatically according to unstable conditions on the market. Such unexpected situations can lead to unintended consequences for your business. But, if you have the knowledge and good communication with your customers, you can act timely, with the right techniques. You can determine what matters to them – is it prices, products, return policy and so on. The data you obtain can be revised, compared and adjusted to your marketing and sales strategies.

Crystal-clear fact is that staying ahead of the competition requires a huge effort. Tracking competitors, following consumer trends and keeping up the development in the industry you operate in is crucial for achieving success on the market.

Author

Cahide Gunes Pakay
Cahide Gunes Pakay is a Digital Marketing Manager at Price2Spy, an online price monitoring, pricing analytics, and repricing tool used by eCommerce professionals from all over the world. She loves reading, writing, and speaking about e-commerce, pricing, and competitive strategies. You can find her on LinkedIn.