◆ For Business Owners · pricing & profit

Pricing & profit

If I don’t get pricing right, I’m working hard for everyone except myself — supplier, landlord, Swiggy, but not me.

102ready prompts
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~1 mineach
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What AI quietly does for you

102 of them — tap, copy, paste
Check if I’m even making profitAct like my blunt accountant. I’ll paste my rough numbers: fixed costs, variable costs,…+
Act like my blunt accountant. I’ll paste my rough numbers: fixed costs, variable costs, average monthly sales. Here they are: [put rent, salaries, light bill, EMI, your monthly stock cost, average sales]. Tell me clearly: per month am I in profit or loss, by how much, and what minimum monthly sales I need to break even.
when the reply comes backAsk it how many months you can survive if sales stay at this level, with cash you have.
Find my real cost per productHelp me calculate my true cost per unit for this product. Details: buying price per unit,…+
Help me calculate my true cost per unit for this product. Details: buying price per unit, transport per lot, packaging cost, wastage/expiry rate, online commission if sold online, GST impact. Here are my details: [paste numbers]. Break down the actual landed cost per piece and show me in a small table.
when the reply comes backThen ask how much margin you need to cover rent, salary, and your own pay.
Set minimum selling price properlyUsing this product’s landed cost per unit: [put cost], and my monthly fixed costs: [put…+
Using this product’s landed cost per unit: [put cost], and my monthly fixed costs: [put rent, salary, bills], and my target monthly units: [put number], calculate my minimum selling price so that I cover all costs and pay myself at least [₹ amount] per month. Explain the calculation simply.
when the reply comes backAsk it what happens if you sell fewer units than your target.
Decide a simple pricing ruleI need a simple thumb rule for pricing new items. My usual costs and margins are: [briefly…+
I need a simple thumb rule for pricing new items. My usual costs and margins are: [briefly describe]. Suggest 2–3 easy rules like 'cost x 1.3' or 'supplier price + flat ₹X' for different product types (low-price FMCG, premium items, services). Keep it dead simple so my staff can follow.
when the reply comes backCheck with it if your rule will cover discounts and offers during festivals.
Compare my price with nearby shopsI’ll paste my selling prices and what 2–3 nearby competitors charge for similar items:…+
I’ll paste my selling prices and what 2–3 nearby competitors charge for similar items: [paste item and prices]. Analyse where I’m too cheap or too expensive and suggest exact rupee changes (up or down) that won’t scare away customers but improve margin.
when the reply comes backAsk how to explain a price increase to regular customers without sounding greedy.
Price the slow-moving items smarterList of my slow-moving items and their current prices: [paste items, stock quantity, buying…+
List of my slow-moving items and their current prices: [paste items, stock quantity, buying price, selling price, how long they’ve been stuck]. Suggest for each item: whether to mark down, bundle, or keep price, and give a suggested new price or offer idea that clears stock but still recovers maximum cash.
when the reply comes backAsk which items you should never stock again based on this list.
Profit check on each product lineI’ll paste my main product categories with sales and margins: [category, monthly sales,…+
I’ll paste my main product categories with sales and margins: [category, monthly sales, buying cost, selling price]. Help me see which categories are actually feeding me and which are just taking up space and cash. Show it in a clear list: 'keep and push', 'fix pricing', 'consider dropping'.
when the reply comes backAsk what happens to profit if you drop one weak category and double focus on one strong category.
See who’s eating my marginBreak down where my margin is getting eaten. My details: rent, electricity, staff cost,…+
Break down where my margin is getting eaten. My details: rent, electricity, staff cost, online commissions, UPI/MDR charges, bank interest, wastage, discounts given. Here are my rough monthly numbers: [paste]. Show me which 2–3 cost heads hurt most and how much extra sale I’m forced to do just to pay each of them.
when the reply comes backAsk for 3 brutal but realistic ideas to cut the biggest cost by 10–20%.

Real questions

honest answers

Some price-sensitive customers may complain, but most regulars stay if you raise smartly and explain honestly. The key is to increase on the right items, in small clear steps, not randomly on everything overnight. Keep prices sharp on 'comparison' items (like milk, rice, basic services) and take higher margin where people don’t track so closely or where your quality is clearly better. Test on a few products first, watch one month, then expand. You’ll usually find you were more scared in your head than in the actual market.

There’s no one 'correct' margin; it depends on your line, risk, and how fast things move. Kirana staples might run at 8–12% gross margin, while boutique clothing or salon services may need 30–60% to cover slower turnover and higher wastage. What matters is whether, after all costs and your own salary, you’re left with a fair return on your time and risk. Work backwards from rent, salaries, and what you want to take home, then see what margin you must keep to reach that, instead of copying what others say.

That usually means your pricing and mix are off, not just your hard work. Either you’re undercharging, giving away too many discounts or 'free' extras, or focusing on low-margin items and headache customers. You need to know which products and services actually pay your bills and which just keep you running around. Do a simple 1–2 month check: list top items by sales, note their cost and selling price, and see what really brings profit. Then raise prices where needed, quietly drop or shrink the useless stuff, and tighten credit and freebies. Busy is useless if it’s not profitable.