3. How much more does Dayton Pharmacy have to sell if it lowers its prices just to remain the same as currently?

Practical Management Science
6th Edition
ISBN:9781337406659
Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.
Publisher:WINSTON, Wayne L.
Chapter9: Decision Making Under Uncertainty
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 30P
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5 p.m. on Saturday. And, they are considering offering seniors a 10% discount
on all private pay prescriptions and front-end merchandise.
Case Study: Dayton Pharmacy
Buzz and Sally Dayton own and operate Dayton Pharmacy. They met
while they were in pharmacy school nearly 18 years ago, married, and decided to
open a community pharmacy. Since both were pharmacists, they felt that they
could share the workload and provide a more personalized service than was
currently available in the area.
Although they are worried about the effects of lower prices on their
carefully cultivated image, they believe that there is little choice but to become
more price-competitive with the chain pharmacies.
troublesome if they stay open longer because their operating costs will increase
by about 4%. They wondered if offering a "frequent customer" program and
giving discounts after 10 purchases would be useful, but this would also increase
their costs.
This is especially
From a profit perspective, Dayton Pharmacy is a financial success. The
trading area surrounding the pharmacy contains a large number of senior citizen
apartments, convalescent homes, and nursing homes. There are two other
pharmacies in the area. One is an old established neighborhood pharmacy and
the other a small regional drugstore.
After reviewing their financial statement with their accountant, the Daytons
are led to believe that they can lower prices on fine gift items by as much as 20%
and on cosmetics by up to 25%. Still, they are not sure whether to make any
price changes or not.
The size of the market where Dayton Pharmacy is located remained stable
until a year ago. Since then there has been a significant increase in population in
the area. New arrivals are largely singles who are attracted to the relatively low
housing costs in the area. As a result of these new arrivals, Dayton Pharmacy
and the other established pharmacies are beginning to feel the effects of
aggressive competition from 3 chain pharmacies located in other parts of the city.
Questions:
1. Should Dayton Pharmacy be alarmed about the aggressiveness of the
chain pharmacies?
2. Should Dayton Pharmacy make any changes to its price policy? If so,
what should be changed and by how much?
3. How much more does Dayton Pharmacy have to sell if it lowers its prices
just to remain the same as currently?
The chain pharmacies are offering weekly specials on front-end
merchandise and aggressively advertise the services of their prescription
department. The largest chain advertises "Super Low Prescription Prices." Each
newspaper ad includes the following statements in bold print:
Superior service from pharmacists who care about you!
Ask about our special service on new or transferred prescriptions.
We honor most insurance plans!
Telephone us today with your health questions.
Open everyday.
To respond to this competition, the Daytons are considering the possibility
of lowering their prices on selected front-end merchandise, namely, fine gift items
and cosmetics. In addition, they are thinking about opening on Sundays, as they
currently are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to
Transcribed Image Text:5 p.m. on Saturday. And, they are considering offering seniors a 10% discount on all private pay prescriptions and front-end merchandise. Case Study: Dayton Pharmacy Buzz and Sally Dayton own and operate Dayton Pharmacy. They met while they were in pharmacy school nearly 18 years ago, married, and decided to open a community pharmacy. Since both were pharmacists, they felt that they could share the workload and provide a more personalized service than was currently available in the area. Although they are worried about the effects of lower prices on their carefully cultivated image, they believe that there is little choice but to become more price-competitive with the chain pharmacies. troublesome if they stay open longer because their operating costs will increase by about 4%. They wondered if offering a "frequent customer" program and giving discounts after 10 purchases would be useful, but this would also increase their costs. This is especially From a profit perspective, Dayton Pharmacy is a financial success. The trading area surrounding the pharmacy contains a large number of senior citizen apartments, convalescent homes, and nursing homes. There are two other pharmacies in the area. One is an old established neighborhood pharmacy and the other a small regional drugstore. After reviewing their financial statement with their accountant, the Daytons are led to believe that they can lower prices on fine gift items by as much as 20% and on cosmetics by up to 25%. Still, they are not sure whether to make any price changes or not. The size of the market where Dayton Pharmacy is located remained stable until a year ago. Since then there has been a significant increase in population in the area. New arrivals are largely singles who are attracted to the relatively low housing costs in the area. As a result of these new arrivals, Dayton Pharmacy and the other established pharmacies are beginning to feel the effects of aggressive competition from 3 chain pharmacies located in other parts of the city. Questions: 1. Should Dayton Pharmacy be alarmed about the aggressiveness of the chain pharmacies? 2. Should Dayton Pharmacy make any changes to its price policy? If so, what should be changed and by how much? 3. How much more does Dayton Pharmacy have to sell if it lowers its prices just to remain the same as currently? The chain pharmacies are offering weekly specials on front-end merchandise and aggressively advertise the services of their prescription department. The largest chain advertises "Super Low Prescription Prices." Each newspaper ad includes the following statements in bold print: Superior service from pharmacists who care about you! Ask about our special service on new or transferred prescriptions. We honor most insurance plans! Telephone us today with your health questions. Open everyday. To respond to this competition, the Daytons are considering the possibility of lowering their prices on selected front-end merchandise, namely, fine gift items and cosmetics. In addition, they are thinking about opening on Sundays, as they currently are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to
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