This is a policy of setting prices close to average cost. It is a way to maximise sales, whilst maintaining normal profits. It is sometimes known as sales maximisation. It will be used by firms who are seeking to increase market share and who don’t seek to maximise profits.
Average cost pricing will occur in perfect competition because firms can only make normal profit. However, it will only occur in oligopoly if firms have a specific goal of maximising sales whilst not making a loss..
In practice, it can be difficult to work out a firms average cost.
For example, the average total cost will have to include not only variable costs but also total costs.
Diagram of Average Cost Pricing
Average cost pricing would be to set price at P1 (output Q2). Monopoly pricing will be at PM.
Similar concept
Cost-plus pricing. With cost-plus pricing firms look at their average costs and then add a certain profit margin e.g. average costs + 10%. This is a way for a firm to get reasonable profit.
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