grundproduktet

Grundproduktet is a term used in Nordic business literature to denote the most basic form of a product that fulfills the core need of a customer, before any differentiating features, designs, or services are added. The word combines grund, meaning foundation or base, with produktet, the product, signaling its role as the base upon which value is built.

In marketing theory, the grundproduktet aligns with the concept of the core product: the essential benefit or problem solution that the customer seeks. The actual product and the augmented product layers then add attributes such as design, brand, packaging, warranties, and after-sales service. Identifying the grundproduktet helps organizations focus on the primary function and value before expanding with variants or enhancements.

Practically, firms use this concept to analyze value propositions, set price baselines, and guide product development. By starting from the grundproduktet, teams can determine which features are truly necessary to satisfy demand and which additions represent optional improvements or differentiators.

Examples can vary by industry. For a plain notebook, the grundproduktet might be a writable page with a basic cover; the actual product adds paper quality, binding, and brand, while the augmented product includes customization, guarantees, or sustainability credentials. For a basic mobile phone, the grundproduktet is the ability to communicate; the actual product adds screen quality and design, and the augmented product may include customer support, software updates, and accessories.

The term is most commonly used in Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish business discourse and is often translated as base product or core product in English-language contexts.