What is a Price War?

Price war refers to a commercial competition where companies repeatedly lower prices of their goods and services in order to undercut their business rivals. 

Initially, one manufacturer may decide to reduce the price of its product. As a result, the rival manufacturing companies may also lower their prices so that they are at the same level. This cycle continues based upon the number of competitors and strength of competition. 

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Why is Price War Common?

A price war is common where price stability has been in existence for a relatively long period and these prices are thought to be high. One firm may then make a decision to undercut the rival businesses, in the industry by reducing the price of its products. The reason for lowering the prices is for them to be able to achieve the following:

• Gain additional market share
• Generate steady cash-flow
• Increase their overall revenue

Generally, price war escalates more quickly in an industry where businesses either barely know or do not trust each other well. Managers should be able to comprehend the price war causes and feature, to be able to make informed decisions on the following:

• When to fight a price war
• How to fight a price war
• When to back off from price war
• When to start one

How to Stop Price War

When there is a price war, companies are compelled to respond by putting in place appropriate strategies. In most cases, most companies usually retaliate by cutting prices whenever there is a price war in the market. Nonetheless, it is crucial to think of other possible strategies to be able to manage price war in the market. Below are various ways companies can stop price war: 

Revealing intention to competitors 

It is important that a company reveals to its competitors its intention to cut prices. For instance, it can inform its competitors of its intention of coming up with a cost structure to allow it to survive in the price war much longer where necessary. It should open up to its competitors that its intention is not to compete in the market based on price. The reason behind this strategy is to scare away competitors. 

Competing strictly on non-price based measures 

Another strategy is to engage in a competition that does not include a price. For instance, in case a competitor has lowered prices, and others are willing to do the same, then the company should either work with the current price or increase it. The major reason for doing this is to prevent brand image damage in the market. 

Emphasize high quality 

Ensuring high quality of your products is another way a company can save itself from engaging in a price war. It will enable customers to shift their focus more on quality than on price. Meaning that there will be no need for a business to lower their products prices in order for customers to buy its products. Quality will be enough to attract customers their way. They could also advise customers on the dangers associated with low price products 

Engaging in fight war 

Another way of fighting a price war is to engage in the fight. Note that this is only if the company is dominant in the industry. The reason is that for a company to be able to participate in a price war, it has to be financially stable. Companies with large stakes are capable of staying long in the price war. 

Planning exit strategies 

Where a company is not capable of engaging in war, it can come up with several strategies that will help it to exit. When a company resolves to exit is because it knows that its chances of surviving in a price war are close to zero.

Pros of Price War

Price war comes with several benefits. Some are highlighted below:

• Price war helps to lower the annual consumer price inflation annual rate
• Price war ensures the progressive effect on consumption and real income distribution
• Price war reduces commodity prices making them affordable to buyers

Cons of Price War

Besides having several benefits, price war also has disadvantages. The main disadvantage associated with price war is a reduction in profit margins. The increased discounts reduce the revenue of those businesses engaged in a price war. Also, competing in a price war is bound to threaten the existence of companies in the future. Those who lose in price war are most of the time forced out of business. On the other hand, those who manage to survive still experience long-term reduced profits.