A loss leader is a product that is sold at less than cost. The firm sells this product at a loss as a way to encourage consumers to shop and buy other goods. The firm hopes to recoup the lost profit by increased sales of more profitable items. A good example of a loss leader …
Currency substitution occurs when an economy uses an alternative currency to the domestic currency. The alternative currency maybe used in parallel to the domestic currency or some cases may completely replace it. Currency substitution can also be referred to as ‘dollarisation’ when the dollar is used. Examples of countries with official currency substitution include Ecuador …
In economics producers – often referred to as firms or companies play a role in using inputs (different factors of production) and producing goods and services (output). Firms play a key role in deciding what to produce and how to produce. Different types of firms Individual entrepreneurs – self-employed individuals Private companies – often small/mid-sized …
Readers Question: What’s the relationship between a countries economy and it’s stock market? Is it always true that the stock market reflects a country’s economic conditions? Generally speaking, the stock market will reflect the economic conditions of an economy. If an economy is growing then output will be increasing and most firms should be experiencing …
Regulatory capture is a form of government failure where those bodies regulating industries become sympathetic to the businesses they are supposed to be regulating. Regulatory capture can mean monopolies can continue to charge high prices The opposite of regulatory capture is ‘public interest theory’ – the idea that government regulation can influence monopolies to behave …
Diminishing marginal utility of income and wealth suggests that as income increases, individuals gain a correspondingly smaller increase in satisfaction and happiness. In layman’s terms – “more money may not make you happy” Alfred Marshall popularised concepts of diminishing marginal utility in his Principles of Economics (1890) “The additional benefit a person derives from a …
Definition of Predatory Pricing Predatory pricing occurs when a firm sells a good or service at a price below cost (or very cheaply) with the intention of forcing rival firms out of business. Predatory pricing could be a method to deal with new firms who enter an industry. If a monopoly is enjoying supernormal profits, …
Consumer confidence is the outlook that consumers have towards the economy and their own personal financial situation. This outlook can be optimistic (high consumer confidence) or pessimistic (low consumer confidence) The level of consumer confidence will be an important factor that determines the willingness of consumers to spend, borrow and save. A high level of …