Price Determination in a Competitive Market: Meaning & Role (2023)

Did you buy something recently? Maybe it was a new jacket? A top? A new game console? Whatever it was, how much did you pay for it? The price can range from 50 pence to 500 pounds. What determines the price of a good or service? This article will show you how price determination in a competitive market is done.

What is a competitive market?

A perfectly competitive market, or a competitive market, is one in which no single producer is the dominant supplier. A competitive market is a market with many buyers and sellers.

Learn more about this type of market in our article Perfect Competition.

Meaning of price determination

Price determination relates to how the forces of supply and demand interact in a market.

Price determination is the process of how the forces of demand for goods and services and the supply of goods and services in a market interact to determine the price.

The level of consumer demand for a product and the response, the supply of producers, play a critical role in determining the price of that product.

(Video) How price is determined in perfect competition

A company produces and sells face masks for £1 because of the pandemic and the government’s safety guidelines. Since face masks are mandated, the demand for face masks has increased. Knowing that consumers need face masks, the company increases its supply of face masks to meet the increased demand and increases the price from £1 to £2.This example is just one example of how changes in demand and supply can affect the price of a good or service. This interaction is called price determination.

Price determination under perfect competition

Now that we know what a competitive market is and what price determination is in general, let us look at how prices are determined in this type of market.

the interaction of market demand and market supply determines the price in a competitive market. From Figure 1 below, we can see a point where demand (D) and supply (S) meet. At this point, D = S, which is called the market equilibrium. The corresponding price at the point of market equilibrium, Pe, is called the equilibrium price. The equilibrium price is the price at which the numerous suppliers are willing to supply the market and the numerous consumers are willing to buy.

Price Determination in a Competitive Market: Meaning & Role (1)Fig. 1 - Price determination in a competitive market

In reality, however, it is not always easy to know where S = D and thus to determine the equilibrium price. For this reason, we often face some challenges, such as disequilibrium, excess supply and excess demand.

Disequilibrium is an economic situation characterised by a shortage or excess of demand or supply. Disequilibrium occurs when the intended demand of consumers does not match the intended supply of businesses.

Excess demand is an economic situation in which consumers are willing to buy more than firms are willing to supply in the market.

Excess supply is when firms are willing to offer more in the market than consumers are willing to buy.

(Video) Price Determination under perfect competition market- Economics -Nkc

These challenges make it much more difficult to set prices. However, in our article Market Equilibrium you will see how the market can change when problems such as imbalance, oversupply and scarcity occur.

How does the interaction of demand and supply determine equilibrium price in a market economy?

The interaction of supply and demand determines the equilibrium price in a market economy because they are opposing factors in the market. Consumers are willing to purchase a product at a price that depends on their income and other factors, while firms are willing to offer products at a certain price considering their total costs. These two forces enter the market with their individual prices and agree to trade so that no player is disadvantaged.

Importance of price in the market

(Video) Price determination | Micro economics | Class 11 | Part 1

Price is a critical factor in the demand and supply of goods and services in a market. Price plays an important role in the market in the following ways:

  • The flagging function serves as an indicator of when there is a surplus or shortage in the market. The price has the function of signalling a shortage or a surplus in a market and giving the main actors the opportunity to react.
  • The decision-making function serves as a tool to help the main actors in the market to know how to react. Price helps consumers to make a decision about buying a product and attach value to the product. It also plays a decision-making role for suppliers, as it reveals consumers’ needs and wants, which the supplier uses to make an informed decision.

Role of demand and supply in price determination

Demand and supply play different roles in the process of price determination. Before we look at their roles, we should define both terms.

Demand refers to the desire of consumers to purchase goods and services at certain prices.

Supply refers to the quantity of a good or service that firms are willing to produce and put on the market.

The law of supply and demand clarifies the relationship between supply and demand and how they affect the prices of goods and services, explaining the interrelationship between supply and demand markets.

Learn more about the law of demand in our article ‘Demand’ and the law of supply in our article ‘Supply’.

(Video) Price Determination in a Competitive Market

We can also see how demand and supply can determine a good or service price through elasticity.

Elasticity is an economic measure of how sensitive one economic factor is to another. For example, how does demand change when people’s income changes?

There are four types of elasticities.

Price elasticity of demand

Price elasticity of demand (PED) measures the change in the quantity demanded of a product relative to a change in its price. In our article’ Price Elasticity of Demand’, you will be able to calculate PED and understand how price changes can affect consumer demand.

Price elasticity of supply

Price elasticity of supply (PES) measures the percentage change in the supply of a good or service when the price changes. Our explanation of ‘Price Elasticity of Supply’ will help you understand how companies change their supply of a good or service when the price changes. You will also see what factors determine how quickly companies respond to price changes.

Income elasticity of demand

Income elasticity of demand (YED) measures the percentage change in a consumer’s income relative to the number of goods consumers demand. You might expect a change in a consumer’s income to affect the number of goods or services they demand. Still, in our article ‘Income Elasticity of Demand’, you will see that this relationship is affected for different types of goods.

Cross price elasticity of demand

Cross elasticity of demand (XED) measures the percentage change in the quantity demanded of one good (e.g., good A) versus the percentage change in the price of another good (e.g., good B). In our explanation of ‘Cross Elasticity of Demand’, you can calculate XED and understand precisely the relationship between two goods.

(Video) Y1/IB 5) Market Equilibrium & Disequilibrium

Price Determination in a Competitive Market - Key takeaways

  • Price determination is how the forces of demand for goods and services and the supply of goods and services in the market interact to determine the price of those goods and services.
  • A perfectly competitive market, or a competitive market, is one in which no single producer is the dominant supplier, a market that offers consumers a wide choice of suppliers.
  • The interaction of market demand and market supply determines the price in a competitive market.
  • The point at which demand (D) and supply (S) meet is called the market equilibrium.
  • The corresponding price in the market equilibrium is called the equilibrium price.
  • Shortages and excess supply in a market lead to market disequilibrium.
  • Using elasticities, we can see how supply and demand can determine the price of a good or service.

FAQs

What is price determination in a competitive market? ›

Price is dependent on the interaction between demand and supply components of a market. Demand and supply represent the willingness of consumers and producers to engage in buying and selling. An exchange of a product takes place when buyers and sellers can agree upon a price.

What is price Determination short answer? ›

Determination of Prices means to determine the cost of goods sold and services rendered in the free market. In a free market, the forces of demand and supply determine the prices. The Government does not interfere in the determination of the prices.

What is the role of price under competitive? ›

Price acts as a signal for shortages and surpluses which help firms and consumers respond to changing market conditions. If a good is in shortage – price will tend to rise. Rising prices discourage demand, and encourage firms to try and increase supply.

What is the role of a consumer in determination of price? ›

Generally, consumers are willing to pay a particular price for a product depending on their income levels and intensity of desire to own the product. This relationship is expressed in economic terms by the demand curve. If the price of a good goes up, consumers will buy less of it.

What does price determination mean write in your own words? ›

Price determination is the interaction of the broad. forces of supply and demand which “determine” or. cause the market price level. Price discovery is the process of buyers and sellers. “discovering” or arriving at transaction prices for.

How are prices determined in a competitive market quizlet? ›

How are prices determined in a perfectly competitive market? By the interaction of demand and supply.

What are the determinants of competitive markets? ›

From a microeconomics perspective, competition can be influenced by five basic factors: product features, the number of sellers, barriers to entry, information availability, and location.

What are the important bases for price determination? ›

Price determination decisions can be based on a number of factors, including cost, demand, competition, value, or some combination of factors. However, while many marketers are aware that they should consider these factors, pricing remains somewhat of an art.

What factors should be considered in price determination? ›

The main determinants that affect the price are:
  • Product Cost.
  • The Utility and Demand.
  • The extent of Competition in the market.
  • Government and Legal Regulations.
  • Pricing Objectives.
  • Marketing Methods used.

What are the 5 steps for determining price? ›

How to price a product? Here are the steps!
  1. Step 1: Selecting the pricing objective. ...
  2. Step 2: Determining demand. ...
  3. Step 3: Estimating costs – ensuring profits. ...
  4. Step 4: Analysing Competitors' Costs, Prices, and Offers. ...
  5. Step 5: Choosing your pricing method. ...
  6. Step 6: Determining the final price.
Oct 29, 2022

What are the important roles of price? ›

First, prices determine what goods are to be produced and in what quantities; second, they determine how the goods are to be produced; and third, they determine who will get the goods.

What is the main role of prices in a market? ›

Prices perform a signalling function – i.e. they adjust to demonstrate where resources are required. Prices rise and fall to reflect scarcities and surpluses. If prices are rising because of high demand from consumers, this is a signal to suppliers to expand production to meet the higher demand.

What are the roles of pricing in marketing? ›

Product pricing can help your company achieve profitability, support product positioning, and complement your marketing mix. Once your startup is ready to commercialize its product, you must determine how much to charge customers to purchase the product. In other words, it is time to establish the pricing structure.

What are the 4 Roles of prices? ›

The four roles that prices play is that prices convey information to consumers and producers, prices create incentives to work and produce, prices allow markets to respond to changing conditions, and last but not least, prices scarce resources efficiently.

What are the 3 roles of consumer? ›

Consumers have to bear some responsibilities which are given below:
  • Consumer must Exercise his Right: ...
  • Cautious Consumer: ...
  • Filing Complaints for the Redressal of Genuine Grievances: ...
  • Consumer must be Quality-Conscious: ...
  • Do not be carried away by Advertisements: ...
  • Insist on Cash Memo:

What is the conclusion of price determination? ›

Conclusion: It follows that the equilibrium between demand and supply, or what is often called market equilibrium, determines the price in the market. Price comes to settle in the market at the level where demand and supply curves intersect each other.

What are the objectives of price determination? ›

Five main objectives of pricing are: (i) Achieving a Target Return on Investments (ii) Price Stability (iii) Achieving Market Share (iv) Prevention of Competition and (v) Increased Profits!

Who determines the price in the perfect competitive market *? ›

The price is determined by demand and supply in the market—not by individual buyers or sellers. In a perfectly competitive market, each firm and each consumer is a price taker. A price-taking consumer assumes that he or she can purchase any quantity at the market price—without affecting that price.

What determines the price of the good or service in a perfectly competitive market? ›

For many economists, those three magic words are “supply, demand, price.” In any market transaction between a seller and a buyer, the price of the good or service is determined by supply and demand in a market. Supply and demand are in turn determined by technology and the conditions under which people operate.

What is the meaning of competitive market? ›

A competitive market is a structure in which no single consumer or producer has the power to influence the market. Its response to supply and demand fluctuates with the supply curve, a representation of a product's quantity.

What are the three determinants of competitive advantage? ›

Michael Porter, the famous Harvard Business School professor, identified three strategies for establishing a competitive advantage: Cost Leadership, Differentiation, and Focus (which includes both Cost Focus and Differentiation Focus)[1].

What is an example of a competitive market? ›

A great example of competitive market is farming. There are thousands of farmers and not one of them can influence the market or the price based on how much they grow. All the farmer can do is grow the crop and accept whatever the current price is for that product.

What factors affect price? ›

Four Major Market Factors That Affect Price
  • Costs and Expenses.
  • Supply and Demand.
  • Consumer Perceptions.
  • Competition.

What is the most important determinant of price? ›

An important determinant of price elasticity of demand is the availability of substitutes. When substitutes are plentiful, consumers have many options to choose from and thus, they are price sensitive.

What are 3 questions to consider when determining the price of a product? ›

10 Questions to Ask When Pricing Your Product
  • What is the customer willing to pay for my product? ...
  • What kind of customer do I want to target?
  • How should I react to my competitor's prices? ...
  • Can I offer different levels of products or services at different price points? ...
  • How can I adjust my prices?
Jun 24, 2013

What are the three 3 basic approaches in pricing decisions? ›

The 3 Most Common Pricing Strategies
  • Cost-based or cost-plus pricing.
  • Market-based pricing.
  • Value-based pricing.
Oct 13, 2020

What are the 3 basic pricing strategies? ›

The three most common pricing strategies are:
  • Value based pricing - Price based on it's perceived worth.
  • Competitor based pricing - Price based on competitors pricing.
  • Cost plus pricing - Price based on cost of goods or services plus a markup.
Nov 8, 2021

What are the 4 C's of pricing? ›

- [Instructor] Pricing practitioners often use the four Cs: customer, costs, competition, and constraints to define a price.

What are the two roles of price? ›

Price plays two distinct roles in consumers' evaluations of product alternatives: as a measure of sacrifice and as an informational cue.

What are the role of pricing within product strategy? ›

Product Pricing Strategy

Strategy turns pricing into a deliberate process in which the company strategy dictates both the set of product features, and the value customers associate with them. Pricing strategies may include cost-plus and value-based pricing.

What are the 5 reasons why pricing is very important? ›

Why are pricing strategies important for a business?
  • Attract customers. Price creates the first impression and may influence customers to purchase your brand. ...
  • Portray value. Pricing portrays the value of your product. ...
  • Aids in meeting customers expectations. ...
  • Determines profitability.
May 24, 2022

What are the roles in consumer decision making? ›

The consumer decision-making process involves five basic steps. This is the process by which consumers evaluate making a purchasing decision. The 5 steps are problem recognition, information search, alternatives evaluation, purchase decision and post-purchase evaluation.

What are the roles of customers in marketing? ›

Customers do more than just pay us for services rendered or products sold. They contribute to our research and planning, help us with our marketing, perform quality control checks, and everything in between. But it's up to us to make it easy for them to fulfill these roles.

What are the roles of customers? ›

What Is a Customer? A customer is an individual or business that purchases another company's goods or services. Customers are important because they drive revenues; without them, businesses cannot continue to exist.

What are the two basic determinants of market prices? ›

Price determination is how the forces of demand for goods and services and the supply of goods and services in the market interact to determine the price of those goods and services.

What is the best way to implement price competition? ›

5 Steps To implement Competitive Pricing
  1. Industry and Competitive Analysis. ...
  2. Market Research. ...
  3. Aligning Pricing Strategies with Business Objectives. ...
  4. Executing Pricing Changes. ...
  5. Monitoring and adjusting Pricing using Software.

How is competition based pricing determined? ›

Competition-based pricing is easy to calculate and understand. All you have to do is look at the competitors in your market and find the average price they use for their services. From there, you can choose whether to go with a lower or higher price or align with customers' expectations.

What happens to price in a competitive market? ›

Competition can constrain buyers and sellers to be price-takers. The interaction of supply and demand determines a market equilibrium in which both buyers and sellers are price-takers, called a competitive equilibrium. Prices and quantities in competitive equilibrium change in response to supply and demand shocks.

How is price determined in a competitive equilibrium model? ›

The interaction of market demand and market supply determines the price in a competitive market. The point at which demand (D) and supply (S) meet is called the market equilibrium. The corresponding price in the market equilibrium is called the equilibrium price.

Who decides the price in a perfectly competitive market? ›

The market price is determined solely by supply and demand in the entire market and not by the individual farmer.

What is an example of competitive pricing? ›

What is an example of competitive pricing? Competitive pricing is a strategy where a product's price is set in line with competitor prices. A real-life example is Amazon's pricing of popular products. The retail giant gathers competitive price intelligence and utilizes it to offer the cheapest price in the market.

What are some examples of competition based pricing? ›

An example of competition-based pricing includes analyzing competitors' prices and then setting a similar but slightly lower price for one's products. Sellers do this by keeping track of rivals' prices through market research.

How does competitive pricing affect consumers? ›

Competition in America is about price, selection, and service. it benefits consumers by keeping prices low and the quality and choice of goods and services high. Competition makes our economy work. By enforcing antitrust laws, the Federal trade Commission helps to ensure that our markets are open and free.

What are 4 factors that determine price in the market? ›

Determinants of Price in Marketing

The Utility and Demand. The extent of Competition in the market. Government and Legal Regulations. Pricing Objectives.

What are some examples of perfectly competitive markets? ›

Farmers' markets: The average farmers' market is perhaps the closest real-life example to perfect competition. Small producers sell nearly identical products for very similar prices.

Videos

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4. Perfect Competiton and Price Determination under Market Period
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