Why is it that many products that are quite similar in scope and use cost more when sold to women compared to men? It’s sometimes referred to as the “pink tax” when women are charged more than men for feminine products and general services. According to a study done by New York City in 2015, girl’s clothes cost 4% more than boy’s clothes, women pay 7% more than men for accessories such as bags and watches, 8% more than men for clothing, and 13% more than men for personal care products.
Enter Billie – a company that offers a direct-to-consumer product line of female-focused razors, shaving creams, and lotions developed – and priced – for women. One might think of it as the female equivalent of male-focused Dollar Shave Club, but according to Billie’s founders, it really wants to be a friend to its customers and be considered a body brand. It offers a subscription service of razors delivered every one, two, or three months at a price point of $9.00, including free shipping.
Billie makes a point of listening to its customers and forging relationships. They try to treat customers as friends and be helpful and in tune. Billie doesn’t want to tell women how they should look, but do want women to have a choice and provide an affordable solution designed specifically for women.
No more pink tax!
Group Activities and Discussion Questions:
- Discuss the stages in
- The New York City study report: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/partners/Study-of-Gender-Pricing-in-NYC.pdf
- View
- View Billie’s story: https://youtu.be/810UnL8ZTNk
- View Billie Web site: https://mybillie.com/
- Discuss competition: what are the direct competitors for this product? Indirect competitors?
- Divide students into teams. Have each team compare one of Billie’s product with a competitive product. What are the points of difference?
- Draw a positioning map for Billie.
Source: Brady, S. (8 May, 2018). Making mundane magic: 5 questions with Billie co-founder Georgina Gooley. Brandchannel.com
