2025 Pricing Considerations Identified in New Research From Experis Pricing Solutions and Vendavo

Core Insights - C-suite leaders in U.S. and European manufacturing and distribution sectors express optimism for 2025, anticipating a shift in buyer sentiment [1][2] - The report emphasizes the importance of adapting pricing models to align with economic growth and evolving buyer expectations [2][4] Pricing Strategies - Nearly half (46 percent) of manufacturers and distributors report cautious optimism and are preparing pricing models for better economic conditions, with 26 percent taking proactive measures to implement new products and pricing models [3][4] - Companies focusing on proactive pricing strategies, value-based approaches, and technology will gain a competitive edge in a fluctuating market [4] Market Pressures and Inflation - Inflation impacts pricing strategies, with manufacturing leaders prioritizing revenue gain (45 percent) and distribution leaders focusing on margin maintenance (38 percent) [4] - Value-based pricing (28 percent) is identified as the top optimization strategy, followed by market-based pricing (25 percent) [4] Automation and AI in Pricing - Pricing automation is advancing, with 49 to 53 percent of respondents reporting fully integrated systems for pricing [5] - However, AI adoption remains limited, with only 29 percent using AI for operational efficiency, primarily for pricing process improvements (50 percent) [5] Workforce and Hiring Trends - A strong pricing function is essential due to market volatility, with over half (52 percent) of respondents from companies with 500+ employees relying on teams of 11 to 20 people focused on pricing [6] - Ninety-five percent of these companies plan to increase hiring for pricing roles in 2025 [6] Survey Demographics - The report includes responses from 67 percent manufacturers and 33 percent distributors, with senior-level sales (64 percent) and finance (30 percent) professionals making up the majority of respondents [7]