Every company needs to know how to calculate and evaluate price elasticity to set the best prices. The calculation involves dividing the rate of change in demand by the rate of change in price. The outcome helps to measure how much demand has changed in response to a price change.
In this blog, we will learn price elasticity and how to calculate it. Stick with us to learn more.
What is the price elasticity?
Price elasticity is a way to measure how much the amount of a product or service that is bought or sold changes when its price does.
It’s a way to measure how sensitive buyers or sellers are to price changes. It is a way to determine how much the amount of a good or service people want changes when its price does. It tells us how much the amount of a product or service that people want to buy will change when its price changes.
If a change in the cost of a product or service greatly affects how much people want it, the elasticity of demand will be high. It means that a small price change will cause a big change in how much people want it.
If a change in price doesn’t affect how much people want a product or service very much, the elasticity of demand will be low. It means that a price change will have a small effect on how much people want.
Importance of price elasticity
Price elasticity measures how price changes affect product demand. It is a key idea in economics and business because it helps businesses understand how price changes will affect how people act and how much demand there is in the market as a whole. Let’s discuss some key importance of elasticity below:
- By understanding the pricing elasticity of their products, companies can determine the optimal price point to maximize revenue and profits.
Businesses may need to lower prices to increase sales volume if a product’s demand is highly elastic. In contrast, if a product’s demand is inelastic, businesses may be able to raise prices without experiencing significant drops in demand.
- Companies can use price elasticity to evaluate the competitive landscape and make strategic pricing decisions. Businesses can determine whether they need to adjust their own prices to remain competitive by analyzing the pricing elasticity of their competitors’ products.
- Price elasticity assists businesses in forecasting sales. Businesses can forecast sales volume and revenue under various pricing scenarios by understanding the elasticity of their products. This can assist them in making an informed inventory, production, and marketing decisions.
What makes a product elastic?
If a change in price makes a big difference in either the supply or demand of a product, it is said to be elastic. Most of the time, it means that there are good alternatives to the product. Some examples are cupcakes, high-end cars, and drinks.
What makes a product inelastic?
If changing the price of a product doesn’t change its supply or demand much, or at all, it is said to be inelastic. Most of the time, it means that the product is seen as a necessity or a luxury by those who are addicted to it. Gasoline and iPhones are all examples.
Ways to calculate price elasticity
Price elasticity can be calculated in various ways, depending on the available data and the level of detail required. Here are three popular methods:
- Percentage method
It is the most fundamental method for calculating price elasticity. It is calculated by dividing the rate of change in demand by the rate of change in price. This method’s formula is:
The formula for price elasticity is = (% change in quantity demanded) / (% change in price)
- Point method
Because it calculates price elasticity at a specific point on the demand curve, this method is more precise than the percentage method. It involves dividing the change in quantity demanded by the price change at a given price and quantity level. This method’s formula is:
Price elasticity = (change in quantity demanded) / (change in price) * (average price / average quantity)
- Arc method
This technique is applied when there is a significant change in the price or quantity demanded between any two points on the demand curve. It involves dividing the change in quantity demanded by the average of the initial and final prices and then dividing that result by the change in price divided by that average. This method’s formula is:
Price elasticity = (change in quantity demanded / average quantity) / (change in price / average price)
These are just three methods for calculating this elasticity; others are more complex. The method used will be determined by the amount of data available and the level of detail required.
What is the price elasticity of demand?
The price elasticity of demand is the ratio of the percent change in the amount of a product that is bought to the percent change in the price. Economists use it to figure out how supply and demand change when the cost of a product goes up or down.
To figure out the elasticity of Demand, you may utilize the following formula:
PED = % Change in Quantity Demanded % / Change in Price
How QuestionPro helps in price elasticity analysis?
QuestionPro is a survey and research platform with several tools and features for conducting market research and analysis, such as price elasticity analysis. Its analysis is a technique used to determine how sensitive customers are to price changes for a product or service.
- Multiple survey question types: QuestionPro provides a variety of survey question types designed specifically for the elasticity of price analysis, including conjoint analysis, a popular method for estimating elasticity.
- Conjoint analysis: Conjoint analysis entails presenting customers with various product or service bundles at various price points and asking them to choose which one they are most likely to purchase.
- Advanced analytics and reporting features: QuestionPro also includes advanced analytics and reporting features that can assist businesses in analyzing data from pricing elasticity surveys.
- Data segmentation tools: QuestionPro has data segmentation tools based on demographic or behavioral characteristics and data visualization tools such as charts and graphs.
QuestionPro can be useful for businesses conducting pricing elasticity analysis and gaining insights into how pricing changes affect customer behavior. Contact QuestionPro today to get the best value for pricing elasticity!
