Market Segmentation, Advanced Demand Information and Supply Chain Performance.

A monopolist firm sells a single product to a market where the customers may be enticed to accept a delay in when their orders are shipped. The enticement is a discounted price for the product. The market consists of several segments with different degrees of aversion to delays. The firm offers a price schedule under which the customers each self-select the price they pay and when their orders are to be shipped. When a customer agrees to wait, the firm gains advanced demand information which can be used to reduce its supply chain costs. This article explores the costs and benefits of this pricing strategy.