Menu cost is the cost to a commercial unit like a restaurant or hotel, caused by the price change. Such cost is incurred by a business in printing new catalogs, hiring experts, and changing the designs of marketing material.
Most companies hesitate to alter the price of different elements related to raw commodities caused by the shift in the supply-demand balance due to menu costs that also include lost sales which may happen as the customer hesitates to buy at a higher price.
Most companies may not change the price unless there is a lot of difference between the cost and the equilibrium but a firm may willingly invest if facing losses due to delay in changing prices as per market rates.
Innovative internet-based solutions offered by different kinds of websites allow companies to lower menu costs as the price change can be integrated into the online catalog without much expense. It can be modified or revised without spending on paperwork and other types of marketing stationery.
This also allows the companies to manage special offers and promotional campaigns easily, at the same time; software can be used to track the competitor’s prices.
Simple algorithms and programs can be used to make major changes in minutes and clever sales methods can be used to ensure the business gains even in circumstances like a pro-competitive development.