What term describes goods that have a positive cross elasticity of demand?

The term that describes goods with a positive cross elasticity of demand is indeed substitutes. When two goods are substitutes, an increase in the price of one good typically leads to an increase in the quantity demanded of the other good. This positive relationship indicates that consumers will switch from one product to another in response to price changes.

For example, if the price of coffee rises, consumers may choose to buy tea instead. This behavior demonstrates that tea and coffee have a positive cross elasticity of demand because they serve similar roles in consumption. If the price of one goes up, the demand for the alternative product increases as consumers look for a substitute.

Understanding substitutes is crucial in market analysis, pricing strategies, and product placement, as companies can leverage consumer behavior in response to price changes of competing goods.