Merkintähinta

Merkintähinta, literally “marked price” or “tag price” in Finnish, refers to the price that is printed or displayed on a product’s label, shelf tag, or other advertising material as the standard price for the item. It serves as the reference price against which discounts, promotions, or loyalty reductions are measured, and is often used to give customers a baseline for evaluating offers.

In practice, merkintähinta is the price shown on the price tag before any promotions. When a sale or discount is active, the transaction price may be lower, while the merkintähinta remains the historical or advertised price. Some retailers present both prices on the tag or in promotional material to illustrate the discount and the value of the offer.

Regulatory and consumer protection considerations apply to merkintähinta as part of price labeling. Finnish and EU consumer protection rules require price indications to be clear, accurate, and not misleading. The merkintähinta is expected to reflect the price that will be charged or be clearly identified as a reference price if a discount applies. When promotions use a higher reference price, retailers should avoid deceptive practices and ensure the display communicates the actual cost to the customer.

Terminology and usage vary by retailer and market segment, but merkintähinta remains a common term in Finnish retail for describing the standard or advertised price used for customer reference. See also price tag, list price, and suggested retail price.