Two strategies for dynamic perishable product pricing to consider in strategic consumer behaviour

Abstract

The study investigates two dynamic pricing strategies, namely posterior price matching (PM) and delay posterior price matching (DPM). These strategies are used by sellers to consider consumer behaviour in a market with several types of consumers. We analyze reduction season price, purchasing equilibrium and regular selling season price using equilibrium theory and backward induction method. A comparison of these two strategies indicates that both PM and DPM enable sellers to increase price in a regular selling season. Hassle cost and valuation differences between high- and low-end consumers influence the profits and decisions of the seller. PM is the best choice when valuations of low- and high-end consumers vary significantly. When the strategic consumer delaying fraction is small, the advantages of PM are more evident than those of DPM. However, DPM is the best choice when the difference between the valuations of low- and high-end consumers is small, and the strategic consumer delaying fraction is large. An increase in hassle cost also affects the seller’s strategy choice and profits; this effect decreases as strategic consumer delaying fraction increases.