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Recall that product is part of the four P's:
New product development can be a challenge. If you think about it, many different things impact developing and bringing a new product to market. For instance, we have changes in trends, both socially and technologically.
EXAMPLE
Do you remember Myspace or AOL? They're rather outdated, but still around--proof that trends in society and technology change.Another factor that impacts new product development is distribution, including issues like raising oil prices and gas prices. Companies have to try to find unique ways to bring their product to market and source that transportation in ways that will be most efficient for them to get the product out.
Legally speaking, there are continually new taxes, new regulations, and new mandates that businesses have to comply with in order to keep their products on the market.
Lastly, there is constant pressure to be innovative for the next big thing.
EXAMPLE
Lately, Apple has come under a lot of pressure because people are wondering about this very question: What's the next big thing?Product classifications are the way that we classify a product that identifies between different types of products that we see marketed.
| Product Classification | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience goods | Low-priced goods that are typically purchased as a routine or quickly, without forethought. The right place is going to be, generally, the biggest reason why we buy them. You'll see these placed where they'll likely be an impulse buy, such as right next to the cash register. | Everyday staples like food, milk, bread, etc. are convenience goods. |
| Shopping goods | Goods that have a more sophisticated choosing process, during which a purchaser evaluates a variety of characteristics. In this classification, substitutes are acceptable. | Items like electronics and clothing fall into this category, where there are lots of substitutes and many different options for a consumer besides the particular product that you're selling. Therefore, you want to try to make it the most appealing versus your competition or substitutes. |
| Specialty goods | Goods that are high-priced and that consumers spend considerable time and effort evaluating their choices for. In this category, the right product matters. | Luxury, high-end items correspond with this type of product. Consumers are worried about the product: Does it fit my individual taste? Price and place aren't so much of an issue. If it's the right product in this high-end specialty goods category, I'm willing to shop and find that one product that works for me. We're getting almost into the price range of "money is no object." Consider a luxury car like a Spyker automobile. This is not the kind of car over which people are haggling at the used car lot. This is an item that will be shipped and sourced from a different country. Consumer are worried about "does this car fit me," not necessarily the price. |
Source: adapted from sophia instructor james howard
