Two catalogue entries can look similar and still represent very different offers. Before using a competitor price, establish what the product relationship actually means.
Equivalent: a direct comparison
An equivalent match aims to connect the same product across sources. Product identifiers can help, but pack format, quantity and variants still deserve attention.
This relationship is useful when a pricing decision depends on a direct competitive reference. The commercial offer can still differ through delivery, availability or service.
Similar: relevant, with differences
Similar products share characteristics that make them commercially relevant to each other, but they are not necessarily interchangeable. A specification, brand or format may justify a different position.
Treat the comparison as context. Avoid automatically applying the same price response you would use for an equivalent item.
Alternative: a different way to meet the need
An alternative is another product a customer could consider for a similar need. Looking at alternatives can broaden your understanding of the market beyond exact catalogue overlap.
The relationship is useful for category discussions and competitive positioning. It does not establish that the products should be priced alike.
Private labels: compare beyond the brand
Private-label products often use different brand names and product identifiers from the offers your customers compare. An exact barcode match alone cannot describe that competitive set.
PRICE supports private-label matching. Compare relevant product characteristics, pack formats and positioning, then decide whether each relationship is equivalent, similar or an alternative.
Build a representative sample
Before evaluating a matching workflow, choose examples that include both straightforward and difficult products. A sample made entirely of clean exact matches will not expose the complexity that matters.
- Include product identifiers and available attributes.
- Include pack-size and variant differences.
- Identify where similar products or alternatives matter commercially.
- Agree how each relationship should influence a pricing decision.
Connect the match to a decision
PRICE supports equivalent, similar and alternative product relationships. The next step is to use the appropriate market context alongside your margin objectives, rather than treating a match as an instruction to change a price.