Pricing it right

Few minutes to read
By Clare Naden
Tagged as Consumers
Published on

Price transparency is one way of gaining consumer trust by making purchasing choices easier. A new standard for unit pricing will help consumers compare products quickly and effectively, a win-win solution for all.

Unit pricing – or comparative pricing – is a way for retailers to show the price of a commodity in relation to a standard unit of measure, such as the kilogramme or litre. For example, for a 500 ml carton of milk offered at USD 1.95, the unit price would be USD 3.90 per litre.

However, this is not always consistent across retailers or products, creating an added layer of perplexity for shoppers and doing little for consumer trust. ISO 21041, Guidance on unit pricing, aims to clear up the confusion by defining unit pricing systems and enhancing transparency of pricing information.

In a recent study1) conducted by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, consumers reported a significantly greater ability to process price information and higher confidence in their price judgements when unit prices are presented consistently within stores. Additionally, the research indicated that standardized unit price presentation was associated with more favourable attitudes toward retailers. John Furbank, Chair of the ISO project committee that developed the standard, said that by simplifying the price comparisons of products, ISO 21041 will benefit retailers and consumers alike.

“Shopping has never been more complex, with not only a greater choice but a wider range of packaging, in terms of weights and sizes,” he said.

“The Queensland study shows that clear and effective unit price information won’t necessarily drive consumers to just buy the cheapest product, but rather allow them to make more informed choices – and that reflects positively on retailers.

“ISO 21041, then, is a key tool for retailers, enabling them to provide clear and consistent pricing, ultimately building trust and loyalty as a result.”

The standard provides guidance on how unit pricing should be displayed in-store (both on-shelf and on packaging), online and in advertisements. It also highlights the importance of clarity and consumer education.

ISO 21041 was developed by ISO project committee ISO/PC 294, Guidance on unit pricing, the secretariat of which is held by Standards Australia, ISO’s member for the country. It can be purchased from your national ISO member or through the ISO Store.


1) Weeks, Clinton S. (2018), Unit pricing and consumers: Display characteristics and usage. In International Meeting for Guidance on Unit Pricing 2018, Japan

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