Question

The Commerce Ministry of a country conducts regular surveys on goods and services sold within the country. Researchers at the Ministry study consumer behavior through the choices the consumers make while deciding what to buy. Their report on the industry for beverages last year indicated that the price elasticity of demand for fruit juices in the country was​ -0.8, while the price elasticity of demand for a particular brand called Fruit Drops was​-1.2. According to the​ report, an average consumer spends about 1 percent of his monthly income on fruit juices. A student of​economics, Julio, however feels that the current price elasticity of demand for Fruit Drops is actually higher than​ -1.2, based on his own experience in purchasing fruit juices.   Which of the​following, if​ true, would support​ Julio's view that the price elasticity of demand for Fruit Drops is​ higher?A. The average income level of consumers has increased this year as compared to last year.B. The company that manufactures Fruit Drops also produces a variety of other goods.C. Three new brands have been introduced in the market for fruit juices in the last month.D. The management of one of the leading competitors of Fruit Drops was recently accused of manipulating profit figures.E. Fruit Drops is a very popular brand of fruit juice in this country.

Answer 1

The correct option is C.

Explanation: Price elasticity is the measure of the rate of change in the level of quantity demanded due to a change in the level of price.

Price elasticity is usually negative, this means that it follows the law of demand; as price increases quantity demanded decreases.

Also, another incidence that can affect price elasticity is an availability of cheaper alternatives. If cheaper alternatives of a particular product are introduced into the market, the demand for that product will reduce, because consumers will abandon it for its cheaper alternatives, thereby driving the elasticity of that product higher.

Therefore, in the scenario given above, the elasticity is higher than -1.2 because there are new brands that have just been introduced into the market.