Final answer:
The 'five Cs' of pricing include cost, customer demand, competition, channel members, and company objectives. Cost reflects the expenses incurred in the production or procurement process, important for companies to achieve profitability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the concept of the 'five Cs' of pricing, which are criteria that companies consider when setting the prices for their products or services. One of the 'five Cs' is cost, referring to the underlying expenses involved in producing or procuring a product, which includes costs of raw materials, labor, and overhead expenses. The other Cs include customer demand, competition, channel members (which refers to the intermediaries like retailers and distributors), and company objectives.
The term company applies since businesses must take their own costs into account. Accordingly, firms strive for cost savings to maintain profitability while competitively pricing their products. In pricing strategy, it is crucial to balance these various elements to ensure financial sustainability and market competitiveness.