Thread by @finshots

If you are a regular shopper, you might have noticed that women’s products cost more than the male equivalent or generic products.

Is this a fluke, or are #women paying more for products made for them?

Turns out, yes, women pay an invisible cost in the form of “The Pink Tax”👇

But the catch is - it’s not really a legitimate #tax imposed by the govt. It’s a cost added on products that are marketed towards women. The packaging on these products is often pink, ergo the name.

For eg, a study in the US found that the ingredients in shampoos & deodorants are almost identical for men & women, but prices for female-targeted items were nearly twice as much. Reports suggest that this pink tax costs women $2135 a year.

But why are women subject to this price discrimination?

Well, manufacturers find that women are less price-sensitive & tend to spend more on the same products.

So the discriminatory pricing has become a part of the marketing strategy.

Another reason could be the economics of scale. In India, a well-known brand of disposable razors for men costs around ₹20, while the cheapest disposable razors for women cost around ₹55. This could be because men buy more razors & the increased demand helps even out the price.

The Pink Tax is subtle, yet substantial. Follow @finshots for more crisp insights, and let us know your thoughts below.

Sources:

What is pink tax and are you paying it?- Livemint

~Gender tax: From clothing to cosmetics, why are women paying more for products despite earning less?- Moneycontrol

~What Is the Pink Tax? Why Women Pay More For The Same Stuff- mint. intuit