The Value Game in a Polarizing Market: A Study on Pricing Strategies and Future Trends of Smart Refrigerators
Changing Li
- Institute of Chips, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- Manuscript received June 2, 2026
- accepted August 23, 2026
- published September 9, 2026
Abstract
This thesis investigates the strategic pricing choices of companies in China’s smart refrigerator market, characterized by increasing polarization between premium and budget segments. Drawing on theories such as differentiated pricing and perceived value, the research employs case study and literature analysis to examine the divergent strategies of brands like Haier and Xiaomi. The core findings indicate that successful brands in the premium segment reconstruct their value proposition through “hardware + scenarios + services” to justify higher prices. In contrast, budget brands compete on ecosystem integration and operational efficiency. The future pricing power will increasingly rely on a company’s capacity to delineate novel usage scenarios and develop ecosystems. This study provides theoretical and practical insights for home appliance companies navigating pricing decisions during intelligent transformation.
Keywords
- smart refrigerator
- pricing strategy
- market polarization
- value innovation
- business model
How to Cite
Changing Li, "The Value Game in a Polarizing Market: A Study on Pricing Strategies and Future Trends of Smart Refrigerators," Journal of Economics, Business and Management, pp. 232-235, 2026.
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).