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Research on Optimal Group-Purchase Threshold and Pricing Strategy of Community Group Purchase

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  • Shuhan Xu

    (SILC Business School, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201899, China)

  • Tianrui Chen

    (School of Qian Weichang, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

Abstract

This study delves into the rapidly evolving community group-buying model, specifically focusing on the determination of optimal group-buying thresholds and pricing strategies for merchants. Aiming to bridge the gap in the existing literature, the methodology employs optimization models, integrating a numerical analysis to construct and evaluate a single merchant model. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship: within a specific threshold interval, a unique group-purchase threshold exists where merchants can maximize profits by balancing group and ordinary sales. The study shows that factors like ordinary selling price, group-buying publicity, and associated costs significantly influence these thresholds and pricing strategies. A critical insight is the threshold’s variability in response to market conditions, highlighting a strategic balance for maximizing profitability. The research underscores the need for merchants to adapt their strategies in response to evolving market dynamics and consumer behaviors. However, the study acknowledges its limitations due to its theoretical nature and focus on the Chinese market, suggesting the potential for future empirical studies in diverse cultural and economic contexts. Overall, this research contributes both theoretically and practically by providing a foundational framework for merchants to optimize group-purchase thresholds and pricing strategies in the dynamic realm of community group buying.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuhan Xu & Tianrui Chen, 2023. "Research on Optimal Group-Purchase Threshold and Pricing Strategy of Community Group Purchase," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:11:y:2023:i:24:p:4951-:d:1299925
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu, Bin & Shan, Wenxuan & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Diabat, Ali, 2022. "Branch-and-price for a combined order selection and distribution problem in online community group-buying of perishable products," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 341-373.
    2. Mengyao Zhang & Hasliza Hassan & Melissa Wendy Migin, 2023. "Exploring the Consumers’ Purchase Intention on Online Community Group Buying Platform during Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Krishnan S. Anand & Ravi Aron, 2003. "Group Buying on the Web: A Comparison of Price-Discovery Mechanisms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(11), pages 1546-1562, November.
    4. Xiaoqing Jing & Jinhong Xie, 2011. "Group Buying: A New Mechanism for Selling Through Social Interactions," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(8), pages 1354-1372, August.
    5. Liang, Xiaoying & Ma, Lijun & Xie, Lei & Yan, Houmin, 2014. "The informational aspect of the group-buying mechanism," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 234(1), pages 331-340.
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