at cost

简明释义

照成本

英英释义

例句

1.The bookstore is clearing out old inventory at cost to make room for new arrivals.

书店以成本价清理旧库存，以腾出空间给新书。

2.The restaurant decided to sell drinks at cost during the happy hour.

餐厅决定在欢乐时光期间以成本价出售饮料。

3.The company sells its products at cost to help local charities.

公司以成本价出售产品，以帮助当地慈善机构。

4.They provided the materials at cost to support the community project.

他们以成本价提供材料以支持社区项目。

5.We are offering this service at cost for a limited time to attract new clients.

我们在有限的时间内以成本价提供此服务，以吸引新客户。

作文

In the world of business and economics, understanding pricing strategies is crucial for success. One term that often arises in discussions about pricing is at cost. This phrase refers to selling goods or services at the exact amount it costs to produce them, without adding any profit margin. This approach can be beneficial in various scenarios, such as during promotional events or when trying to clear out excess inventory. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges and implications.When a company sells products at cost, it essentially means that they are not making any profit on those items. For instance, if a manufacturer produces a gadget for $100, selling it at cost would mean offering it to customers for $100 as well. This strategy can attract customers who are looking for bargains, potentially increasing sales volume and customer loyalty. It can also help businesses gain market share by undercutting competitors who maintain higher profit margins.However, selling at cost is not always a sustainable practice. Companies need to consider their overall financial health and whether they can afford to operate without profit on certain items. If a business frequently sells products at cost, it may struggle to cover overhead expenses, such as rent, salaries, and utilities. This could lead to financial difficulties in the long run.Moreover, using the at cost pricing strategy can also affect brand perception. Customers may begin to associate a brand with low prices, which can diminish its perceived value. Luxury brands, for example, thrive on exclusivity and high price points. If such a brand were to sell products at cost, it could confuse consumers and dilute the brand's image.There are also ethical considerations when selling at cost. In some cases, businesses may use this strategy to drive competitors out of the market, a practice known as predatory pricing. By selling products at cost or even below cost, a company can temporarily lower prices to a point where competitors cannot sustain their operations. Once the competition is eliminated, the company can then raise prices again, ultimately harming consumers.Despite these challenges, there are situations where selling at cost can be advantageous. For example, during a clearance sale, retailers may choose to sell seasonal items at cost to make room for new inventory. This can help them recover some of their initial investment while providing customers with great deals. Additionally, non-profit organizations may sell items at cost to support their causes, ensuring that funds are directed towards their mission rather than profit.In conclusion, the term at cost plays a significant role in pricing strategies within the business world. While it can attract customers and increase sales volume, it also poses risks related to profitability, brand perception, and ethical concerns. Businesses must carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this approach before implementing it in their pricing strategies. Understanding the implications of selling at cost is essential for any entrepreneur or manager looking to navigate the complex landscape of modern commerce.

在商业和经济的世界中，理解定价策略对于成功至关重要。一个常常出现在定价讨论中的术语是成本价。这个短语指的是以生产商品或服务的确切成本出售，而不添加任何利润。这种方法在各种情况下都可能是有益的，例如在促销活动期间或在试图清理过剩库存时。然而，它也带来了自己的一系列挑战和影响。当一家公司以成本价出售产品时，这基本上意味着他们在这些商品上没有赚取任何利润。例如，如果一家制造商生产一个小工具的成本为100美元，以成本价出售就意味着以100美元的价格提供给客户。这种策略可以吸引寻找便宜货的顾客，可能会增加销售量和客户忠诚度。它还可以帮助企业通过低于竞争对手的价格来获得市场份额。然而，以成本价出售并不总是一种可持续的做法。公司需要考虑其整体财务健康状况，以及他们是否能够承受在某些商品上没有利润的运营。如果一家企业频繁以成本价出售产品，它可能会难以覆盖间接费用，如租金、工资和水电费。这可能导致长期的财务困难。此外，使用成本价定价策略也会影响品牌形象。客户可能开始将品牌与低价格联系在一起，这可能会降低其感知价值。奢侈品牌例如，依靠排他性和高价位生存。如果这样的品牌以成本价出售产品，可能会让消费者感到困惑，并稀释品牌形象。在以成本价出售时，还有一些伦理考虑。在某些情况下，企业可能会使用这一策略来驱逐市场上的竞争者，这种做法被称为掠夺性定价。通过以成本价甚至低于成本的价格出售产品，一家公司可以暂时将价格降低到竞争对手无法维持的水平。一旦竞争被消除，该公司就可以再次提高价格，最终损害消费者利益。尽管面临这些挑战，但在某些情况下，以成本价出售可能是有利的。例如，在清仓销售期间，零售商可能选择以成本价出售季节性商品，以腾出空间给新库存。这可以帮助他们收回部分初始投资，同时为客户提供超值优惠。此外，非营利组织可能以成本价出售商品以支持他们的事业，确保资金用于其使命而不是利润。总之，成本价这一术语在商业世界的定价策略中扮演着重要角色。虽然它可以吸引客户并增加销售量，但也带来了与盈利能力、品牌形象和伦理问题相关的风险。企业在实施这一定价策略之前，必须仔细权衡这种方法的利弊。理解以成本价出售的影响对任何希望在现代商业复杂环境中导航的企业家或经理来说都是至关重要的。