Market and Product Overview

A good marketing strategy is comprised of the elements referred to as the marketing mix. These elements need to be considered when making marketing strategy decisions. The primary components of the marketing mix are product, price, promotion, and place. These "Four P's" are the foundation for all marketing strategies. Whether you are in the process of developing a business plan or have been operational for years, to maximize your efforts, it is essential to consider carefully, each or these components.

Products usually go through a life cycle that is made up of four stages; introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Your strategies will be different depending on the stage of the cycle. What exactly is your product? Is it user friendly? Does it really serve a purpose to satisfy a need or a want? What are the uses for your product? Are there additional uses for your product that you have not been marketing? Specific to beer products, you must determine whether you will be marketing a specialty beer or one of the bigger name brands such as Coors.

Price considerations include asking whether your product is affordable to your target market. Where does your price stand in relation to your competitors? Think about the discounts you offer and your credit policies. What is your pricing strategy? Consider whether you should price your beer product on the low side in order to gain market share, or selling a more expensive beer if selling a

press the stock market, with critics claiming it paid too much.... Kronenbourg: No Small Beer; Scottish & Newcastle's ukp1.7bn takeover of Kronenbourg has failed to impress the stock market, with critics claiming it paid... From Marketing Week, March 30 2000 Watching the market.(interview with Robert S. Weinberg, brewing industry analyst)(Interview) Analyst Robert S. Weinberg crunches the numbers From Modern Brewery Age, March 22 1999 McCormick reports Wolaver's organic beer venture is on-track, expanding East. (Tom McCormick of McCormick Distribution and Marketing) Tom McCormick of McCormick Distribution and Marketing, Meadow Vista, CA, reports that the Wolaver's organic beer venture is proceeding apace. To refresh... From Modern Brewery Age, August 03 1998 Professional associations and institutes Association for Consumer Research Association of Marketing Educators Product: Beer Question: Consider whether you will distribute the beer or consider a wholesaler environment References: Same market consolidation: second tier distributors should be examining their options.(Industry Overview) The record pace of beer distribution mergers and acquisitions continues, but the value of the brands