What is a product with inelastic demand?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on February 23, 2026
Examples of Inelastic Products The most common goods with inelastic demand are utilities, prescription drugs, and tobacco products. In general, necessities and medical treatments tend to be inelastic, while luxury goods tend to be the most elastic. Another typical example is salt.
Which product is most likely to have inelastic demand?
Demand for products such as insulin, cancer drugs, and tobacco is usually inelastic. If your income goes down, you will probably purchase fewer goods and services.
Are luxury goods inelastic?
Price Levels For example, luxury goods have a high price elasticity of demand because they are sensitive to price changes. Conversely, the demand for an essential good, such as food, is generally price-inelastic because consumers still buy food even if the price changes.
What are some examples of inelastic items?
Examples of inelastic demand
- Petrol – those with cars will need to buy petrol to get to work.
- Cigarettes – People who smoke become addicted so willing to pay a higher price.
- Salt – no close substitutes.
- Chocolate – no close substitutes.
- Goods where firms have monopoly power.
Is Adidas elastic or inelastic?
For example, in the sportswear industry, between Nike and Adidas, the shoes are price elastic as the shoes of both brands enable runners to run and therefore fulfil the same needs and wants.
Which is an example of a perfectly inelastic demand?
Perfectly inelastic is where a small increase or decrease in the price of a product will have no effect on the quantity that is demanded or supplied of that product. There is no elasticity of demand or supply for the product.
When does price inelasticity typically happen in a business?
Therefore, firms that deal in inelastic goods or services can transfer the extra cost of production to their customers without adversely affecting the demand. As a result, price inelasticity offers better flexibility at setting up or establishing pricing strategies. When Does Price Inelasticity Typically Happen?
Why are products produced by a monopoly have inelastic demand?
In general, the more important the product’s use, the more inelastic the demand will be. Competitive dynamics: Goods that are produced by a monopoly generally have inelastic demand, while products that exist in a competitive marketplace have elastic demand. This is because a competitive marketplace will create more options for the buyer.
Is the demand for gasoline elastic or inelastic?
It may be helpful to remember that when the buyer is in sensitive to price, demand is in elastic. The demand for gasoline generally is fairly inelastic. Car travel requires gasoline. The substitutes for car travel offer less convenience and control.