Business Strategies on Black Friday: Reduction of Accessories
During Black Friday promotions, companies discover a clever formula to present attractive discounts without altering the fundamental structure of their products. Instead of making internal modifications or using lower-quality materials, they implement a more direct tactic: suppressing the complementary elements that traditionally accompany the product in its standard version. This method allows them to keep the core of the product identical while adapting the final packaging to achieve competitive promotional prices 📦.
Operational Benefits of Eliminating Add-ons
This business strategy is particularly advantageous for manufacturers because it significantly optimizes the supply chain and minimizes potential complications. Altering internal components would imply developing new manufacturing processes, conducting additional tests, and could compromise the long-term perception of product quality. In contrast, by forgoing additional controllers, specialized cables, or short-term subscriptions, they preserve the essence of the device intact while generating a more economical variant with less content in the packaging. Customers receive the same functional device, although with a reduced set of accessories.
Key Advantages for Manufacturers:- Simplification of storage and distribution logistics
- Reduction of production and packaging costs
- Maintenance of the quality perception of the main product
Consumers end up celebrating a discount for receiving fewer items, as if they were doing them a favor by eliminating components that they previously considered essential, while the original price probably already included a margin for those same accessories that now disappear during the offers.
Consequences on Consumer Satisfaction
Although the main product retains all its complete technical specifications, the lack of certain add-ons can influence the user's initial experience. Those who anticipated finding all the components included in the conventional version might experience some disappointment upon discovering that they need to purchase some items separately. However, for many buyers, this trade-off is acceptable when the discount is significant, especially if it involves accessories that they might not use or can obtain later at a lower cost.
Aspects Affecting the User Experience:- Unmet expectations regarding the package contents
- Need for additional purchases to obtain the full experience
- Perception of reduced value despite the discount obtained
Final Reflection on This Business Practice
The underlying irony in this strategy lies in the fact that we ultimately celebrate receiving less for a lower price, as if companies were doing us a favor by removing parts of the product that we previously considered fundamental. All this happens while the original price very likely already incorporated a margin for those same accessories that mysteriously disappear during promotional periods. This practice invites us to reflect on the true value of offers and how marketing strategies can transform our perception of what constitutes a good purchase 🤔.