The Marketing mix of HP Printers analyses the 4Ps of HP Printers, including the Product, Price, Place, and Promotions. HP is an American corporation that is connected with the IT sector. This public limited company was started in 1939 by two friends, David Packard and William Redington Hewlett. Its target customers include medium and small enterprises, home users, students, public-sector divisions, and Fortune 500 companies. Following are some of the rival companies of HP-
- Dell
- Toshiba
- Acer
About Hp Printers
- Type: Laser printers
- Industry: Information technology
- Founded: 1984
- Founder: David Packard and Bill Hewlett
- Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States
- Area served: Worldwide
- Key people: Enrique Lores (Chairman) and Enrique Lores (CEO)
- Number of employees: 56,000
Table of Contents
HP Printers Product Strategy
HP is a multinational corporation that manufactures and sells products related to the IT industry. It has a comprehensive product portfolio, including printers of different varieties. HP became the first company to introduce the LaserJet desktop printer.
The product mix of HP (Hewlett Packard) printers is diverse, catering to various customer needs ranging from home use to large-scale enterprise solutions.
The product mix of HP Printers in 2023 is as follows (Source).
- Home and Small Office Printers include basic inkjet and laser printers for home users and small offices. Models in this category are typically compact, user-friendly, and affordable, ideal for everyday printing tasks.
- All-in-One Printers: All-in-One (AIO) printers combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one device. These printers are popular in home and office environments due to their versatility and space-saving design.
- Photo Printers: HP offers specialized photo printers designed for high-quality photo printing. These are typically used by photography enthusiasts and professionals who require superior color accuracy and image detail.
- OfficeJet and LaserJet Printers: The OfficeJet series includes inkjet printers designed for higher volume printing and efficiency. In contrast, the LaserJet series comprises laser printers known for their speed and precision, particularly suitable for business and enterprise environments.
- Large Format Printers: These printers are designed for printing large-scale media such as banners, posters, and architectural drawings. Professionals in graphic design, architecture, engineering, and advertising use them.
- Enterprise and Managed Printers: HP provides high-end printers and multifunction systems for enterprise-level needs, including managed print services. These printers offer advanced security features, high-volume capacity, and efficient management for large organizations.
- Indigo Digital Presses: HP Indigo presses are high-end digital printing presses designed for commercial printing needs. They are used for many high-quality, professional printing applications, including marketing materials, photo books, and packaging.
- 3D Printers: Expanding into the innovative field, HP offers 3D printers that cater to industrial manufacturing for prototyping and producing functional parts in various industries such as healthcare, automotive, and aerospace.
This product mix demonstrates HP’s commitment to providing printing solutions for various customer needs, from individual consumers to large-scale commercial and industrial applications.
HP Printers Place Strategy
HP has a strong presence in the global market and is served through an efficient and trained workforce. Its headquarters are in Palo Alto in the United States. HP has several regional offices that have helped in smooth transactions. Some are in Texas, Colombia, Singapore, France, Tokyo, the United Kingdom, India, Ireland, Geneva, Rivonia, Houston, Victoria, and Switzerland. A solid and extensive distribution network is necessary for every organization. It has adopted both direct marketing strategies and indirect distribution strategies for its business enterprises and individual customers.
Its channel includes vendors, retailers, franchisees, and personal outlets that sell exclusive HP products. HP has a direct link with manufacturers, suppliers, partners, and logistic service providers to garner the best possible results. It also has a proficient online platform that helps place orders and supply them quickly and efficiently.
Here’s an overview of the place strategy for HP (Hewlett Packard) Printers:
- Global Retail Distribution: HP printers are widely available in various retail outlets globally, including electronics stores, office supply stores, and big-box retailers. This extensive retail presence ensures customers can easily find and purchase HP printers in most locations.
- Online Sales Platforms: HP utilizes its e-commerce website and third-party online marketplaces like Amazon and Best Buy to sell its printers. This online strategy meets the growing consumer preference for digital shopping, allowing HP to reach a more comprehensive, potentially global, customer base.
- Authorized Dealers and Resellers Network: HP partners with a vast network of authorized dealers and resellers to distribute its printers. This approach extends HP’s reach, especially into markets where it might not have a direct sales presence, and is vital for serving individual and business customers.
- Direct Sales to Businesses and Institutions: HP often employs a direct sales approach for enterprise and large-scale business clients. This allows HP to offer tailored solutions directly to organizations with specific printing needs, including high-volume printers and managed print services.
- After-Sales Services and Support: HP ensures the availability of after-sales services and supports through service centers, online support, and partnerships with service providers. This network is vital for customer satisfaction through technical support, maintenance, and repair services.
This place strategy allows HP to effectively distribute and support its printer products across various customer segments, from individual home users to large enterprises, ensuring a strong market presence and customer accessibility.
HP Printers Pricing Strategy
HP has adopted several pricing strategies to maintain its position as one of the best companies in the international market. For its printers, it has maintained a competitive pricing policy that is reasonable and fair. It first conducts market research and determines its cost, and after a complete evaluation, it bases its prices at par with other rival companies. The prices may be marginally higher for some of its products than its competitors. Still, as it guarantees superior quality, it has maintained its pricing strategy in the consumer market. HP offers free services periodically or against new purchases to retain customer loyalty.
Hewlett Packard (HP) employs a strategic pricing approach for its printers, reflecting its market positioning and the diverse needs of its customer base. Here’s a detailed breakdown of HP’s printer pricing strategy.
- Segment-Based Pricing: HP adopts a segment-based pricing strategy, where prices are tailored to different market segments. Entry-level and home printers are affordable to attract individual consumers and small businesses. In contrast, enterprise-grade printers are higher, reflecting their advanced features and greater efficiency, which makes them suitable for high-volume, professional use.
- Competitive Pricing: In the highly competitive printer market, HP often sets prices in line with, or slightly below, its competitors for similar product categories. This approach is crucial in maintaining a competitive edge, especially in consumer and small business segments with higher price sensitivity.
- Value-Based Pricing for Advanced Features: HP employs value-based pricing for high-end printers, particularly those with specialized features like large-format printing or 3D printing capabilities. This strategy reflects the higher value these printers provide in terms of technology, performance, and the unique needs they fulfill.
- Cost-Plus Pricing for Supplies and Accessories: HP often uses a cost-plus pricing model for printer supplies like ink cartridges and toner. The company sets prices that cover the cost of production and distribution plus a margin. This method is typical in the accessories market to ensure consistent profitability.
- Dynamic Pricing for Services: HP employs dynamic pricing for its managed print services and after-sales support, varying prices based on the level of service, customer requirements, and contract terms. This flexibility allows HP to cater to various businesses with varying service needs, from small firms to large enterprises.
- Promotional and Bundled Pricing: HP often uses promotional pricing, discounts, and bundled offers (e.g., printer plus ink/toner packages) to attract customers. This strategy effectively drives sales, especially during new product launches or key shopping seasons, and encourages the purchase of complementary products.
- Subscription-Based Pricing for Ink Supplies: With services like HP Instant Ink, HP has introduced a subscription-based pricing model for ink supplies. Customers pay a monthly fee based on their printing volume, and HP automatically delivers ink cartridges as needed. This innovative pricing strategy offers convenience and cost savings for customers while ensuring a steady revenue stream for HP.
HP’s multifaceted pricing strategy demonstrates its understanding of the diverse needs of its customers, from cost-conscious home users of personal computers to technology-dependent enterprises. By balancing competitive and value-based pricing, HP caters to a broad market while sustaining its brand value and profitability.
HP Printers Promotion Strategy
Marketing is a vital part of any organization that directly impacts its success or failure. A solid and effective promotional plan will take the company forward by changing market dynamics and positively influencing the consumer mindset. Its slogan, “Everything is possible, ” defines the company’s approach. HP has taken the help of every available advertising tool from electronic, social, and print media to gain maximum visibility. Its commercials are displayed on several television channels, hoardings, and newspapers.
The company has also used the help of several vehicles like tempo tractors and buses to display its products. It has an official website that helps by providing information to customers. HP has hired efficient employees who successfully deal directly and indirectly with clients. Under several promotional schemes, the brand offers several free services to maintain customer loyalty.
Some Recent Video ads and Print ads for HP Printers are:
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