Market Segmentation in the 21st Century: Discrete Solutions to Continuous Problems

Market segments exist because of information and cost constraints If manufacturers had accurate individual-level demand information and the ability to produce and deliver unique products at low cost, then individual customization of products would be a viable market strategy But as uncertainty about consumer demand increases and/or the cost of customization increases, firms find it more profitable to reduce the variety of the products they offer This paper reports on a critical examination of trends in the analysis of customer data and in reductions in the cost of customization brought about by innovations such as the Internet and flexible manufacturing systems We conclude that recent trends are not sufficient to support individual customization in most product categories However, despite the inability of these trends to support individual customization, we predict several changes In the dimensions surrounding successful segmentation strategies that will be used by firms in the future

Market Segmentation in the 21st Century Discrete Solutions to Continuous Problems

Market segments exist because of information and cost constraints If manufacturers had accurate individual-level demand information and the abllity to produce and deliver unique products at low cost, then individual customization of products would be a viable market strategy But as uncertainty about consumer demand increases and/or the cost of customization increases, firms find it more profitable to reduce the variety of the products they offer This paper reports on a critical examination of trends in the analysis of customer data and in reductions in the cost of customization brought about by inovations such as the Internet and flexlble manufacturing systems. We conclude that recent trends are not sufficient to support individual customization in most product categories. However, despite the inability of these trends to support individual customization, we predict several changes In the dimensions surrounding successful segmentation strategies that will be used by firms in the future

Price-Endings When Prices Signal Quality

This paper provides a theoretical explanation for why firms behave as though they use round prices to signal quality. By replacing the linear demand curve in Bagwell and Riordan's (1991) price as a signal of quality model with a kinked demand curve, and analyzing what price endings firms are most likely to use, the following observations can be made: (1) Firms that are using high prices to signal quality are more likely to set those prices at round numbers, and (2) price-endings themselves are not necessarily signals of quality. A simulation was conducted to demonstrate that these findings generally hold true even in the presence of demand spikes at 9-ending prices (e.g., Schindler and Kibarian 1996). Finally, empirical evidence is provided to demonstrate that firms tend to use more round prices for higherquality products, and that this relationship is even stronger for product categories where consumers are less able to detect the true level of quality prior to purchase.price-endings, quality, signaling, round prices

Reply to "A Comment on `Price-Endings When Prices Signal Quality'"

Although the comment provides some additional insight, it in no way diminishes the contribution of the original paper. That paper is the first and only theoretical explanation for why firms behave as though they use round prices to signal quality. Further, the paper provides empirical evidence in support of this explanation.Price-Endings;, Signal of Quality