An empirical investigation of the welfare effects of banning wholesale price discrimination

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 40
Issue: 1
Pages: 20-46

Authors (1)

Sofia Berto Villas‐Boas (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Economic theory does not provide sharp predictions on the welfare effects of banning wholesale price discrimination: if downstream cost differences exist, then discrimination shifts production inefficiently, toward high‐cost retailers, so a ban increases welfare; if differences in price elasticity of demand across retailers exist, discrimination may increase welfare if quantity sold increases, so a ban reduces welfare. Using retail prices and quantities of coffee brands sold by German retailers, I estimate a model of demand and supply and separate cost and demand differences. Simulating a ban on wholesale price discrimination has positive welfare effects in this market, and less if downstream cost differences shrink, or with less competition.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:40:y:2009:i:1:p:20-46
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29