List pricing and discounting in a Bertrand-Edgeworth duopoly

B-Tier
Journal: International Journal of Industrial Organization
Year: 2009
Volume: 27
Issue: 6
Pages: 719-727

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

List, or retail, pricing is a widely used trading institution where firms announce a price that may be discounted at a later stage. Competition authorities view list pricing and discounting as a procompetitive practice. We modify the standard Bertrand-Edgeworth duopoly model to include list pricing and a subsequent discounting stage. Both firms first simultaneously choose a maximum list price and then decide whether to discount, or not, in a subsequent stage. We show that list pricing works as a credible commitment device that induces a pure strategy outcome. This is true for a general class of rationing rules. Further unlike the dominant firm interpretation of a price leader, the low capacity firm may have incentives to commit to a low price and in this sense assume the role of a leader.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:indorg:v:27:y:2009:i:6:p:719-727
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25