“Product life cycle and pull or push strategies”


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It is quite important for brand managers to analyze and identify the stage of a particular brand in its life cycle before deciding about using sales promotion.  During the stage of product introductions, a product requires different sales promotional tactics.

Likewise, during the product growth stage, its maturity and the decline stages, the sales promotion tactics required are likely to be quite different.  Promotional strategies are also likely to be affected for different non-durable and durable products.  Also important in the development of promotional strategy would be the target audience is towards whom the sales promotional messages would be directed.

 

¨      Introduction stage

 

When the product is being introduced, the major objective is to increase the trial rate and distribution of the product.  For increasing trial sampling, coupons, demonstration which are all pull promotions, can be used.  To make the product available in distribution channels, it may become necessary to use some kind of incentive scheme for the resellers to encourage them and minimise their risk associating stalking a new product.  Manufacturers can offer display allowances to resellers to make the product highly visible.  There could be liberal guarantees to take back the stocks, if unsold, to reassure the trader.  These are all push promotions.  For most new products, it would be difficult to be successful without pull promotions.  In fact when new products are introduced, much more emphasis is given to pull rather than push promotions.

 

 

  • Fair and lovely is introducing the Fair &Lovely dark circle remover crème by having an introductory offer Rs10 off which will be available through the coupons that are distributed with newspapers like the Times of India.

 

¨      Growth stage

 

In this stage, the dominant objectives are to expand the market for increasing the number of new customers who would try the product for the first time and to encourage the repeat purchase by those who have already tried the product.  Another important objective is to expand or at least maintain the distribution.  For increasing trial, pull promotions are appropriate however as the trial rate increases free samples become quite an expensive proposition.  To encourage repeat purchase by consumers, in pack or on-pack coupons can be used.

 

Samsung had launched the ‘Phod Ke Dekho’ offer last Diwali between October 15 and November 20, 2001, to optimise sales of its consumer electronics and home appliance products during the festival season, which resulted in tremendous sales. Samsung’s sales during Diwali grew by over 28 % over last year’s corresponding period and closed the period with sales of Rs 275 crore. While Samsung’s CTV sales grew by 46%, refrigerator sales grew by 25% and microwave ovens by 52%.

Due to the success of this promotional scheme the Samsung “Phir Se Phod ke Dekho” Consumer Offer, valid between October 1~November 15, 2002 had been reintroduced by the company to optimize sales.

 

This would also help in converting those customers who have already tried the product into regular users of the product.  Another tool of sales promotion that can be used is to offer bonus packs containing additional quantity at the same price as an incentive to encourage repeat purchase.  To expand the distribution, push promotions such as different types of discounts, free goods that increase the profitability of the trade, can be used.

 

¨      Maturity stage

 

When the product is in maturity stage, many similar brands are available to customers.  Due to price discounts or other extra benefits, consumers often switched brands.  This phenomenon of brand switching is more common if the product category happens to be one of low involvement.  The sales promotional strategy in this stage can focus on attracting maximum number of brand switchers, reward and reinforce the loyalty of regular users and use more of push promotions to build inventories with resellers.  Many tools of sales promotion such as premiums, price discounts, extra goods, displays, dealer contests, feature advertising become important.

 

Generally a combination of pull and push promotions prove more effective during maturity stage of a product life cycle.  The market share of the brand is an important factor in gaining the support of resellers.

 

¨      Decline stage

 

Survival of the brand often becomes more important during decline stage.  Another important objective is to maintain distribution.  Sales promotions that help in generating sales volume become quite important.  Resellers, in general, are not a tall enthusiastic about declining brands and for this reason we do not show any kind of interest in promoting them.  Because of this negative factor, manufacturers use pull promotions.  In many cases this becomes a game of endurance for marketers.

 

Bombay Dyeing

The Bombay Dyeing Lao Diamond Pao Offer

On buying Bombay Dyeing products worth Rs. 300 and scratching the card available, you would be eligible for a prize. There were 6990 diamonds to be won.

 

 


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