GorillaOffTopic, Everything But Gorilla Trades

Great news folks! The Gorilla has been shopping at major retailers all over, and guess what? Almost all of them have actually lowered their price points on items that were normally about 20-30% higher. No not “sales” per se, actual lower prices on everyday items, which were once much more expensive.

These items include electronics, housewares, clothing, shoes, and more. The Gorilla has been doing a bit of “market research’ since he has had to holiday shop anyhow, and the price differences are phenomenal. The Gorilla’s better half has noticed it as well, so the Gorilla sent her out on a little “shopping mission” to see if it was just the Gorilla who found these valuable savings. (Surprisingly, the Gorilla’s wife was unusually cooperative in the matter)!

Now these weren’t “sale” items, these were regular priced items, such as a pair of pants. According to Mrs. Gorilla, in the past, in one store the Gorilla’s wife frequents, a pair of Cashmere blend pants cost around $129, but when the Gorilla’s wife checked the price, they were only around $58. She thought it was a mistake, so she inquired as to why the pants were so cheap. The store manager explained to the Gorilla’s wife that the company was trying “lower price points” on almost all of its items in order to increase sales. She further explained that it was a company-wide decision and that all of the related chain stores in the company would be following suit.

Naturally, the Gorilla’s wife purchase twice as much as she would have, thus the sale for the store was about breakeven rather than losing a sale due to the cost being too high. (Mrs. Gorilla says she would most likely not have purchased the pants at all if they had been $129, but instead, not only did she buy the pants, but she also purchased a top as well). So you see- this is clever marketing, which has its basis in good old fashioned psychology. Many stores are now trying this “strategy” in the hopes of boosting sales during an economically tough time in this country.

So go out there and do your homework. You may be surprised at how many stores are offering lower prices on items that you have purchased at a higher price in previous years! Now, if we could only get the Apple store to do that……..