Brands say discounting is hard to quit as full-price selling gets harder

· Retail & E-commerce

Brand leaders say discounting has become "a hard drug to come off," but retraining customers to pay full price is essential. Heavy, frequent discounts are a mixed bag for brands during the fourth quarter. Competition from major retailers and marketplaces like Amazon, which can afford deep cuts, makes full-price selling an uphill battle for smaller brands.

Why it matters：Persistent discounting erodes margins across consumer brands and shapes how the whole industry prices through the holiday quarter.

Key points

  • Brand leaders describe discounting as "a hard drug to come off."
  • Marketplaces such as Amazon can afford deeper price cuts.
  • Frequent promotions make full-price selling an uphill battle.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day