Unraveling the price-concentration relationship: The Role of national distribution centers in Chilean supermarket industry consolidation

C-Tier
Journal: Economic Modeling
Year: 2024
Volume: 130
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Díaz, Fernando (Universidad Diego Portales) Galetovic, Alexander (not in RePEc) Muñoz, Roberto (not in RePEc) Tapia, Jocelyn (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.252 = (α=2.02 / 4 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

We examine the relationship between prices, costs, concentration, and the intensity of competition in the Chilean supermarket industry during its consolidation process in the late 1990s. This process was characterized by increased concentration, lower prices paid by consumers, and higher levels of competition between firms. We argue that behind this phenomenon lies the adoption of National Distribution Centers by supermarket chains, which represented a technological cost-saving change that intensified competition and reduced profit margins. We develop a simple theoretical model that allows for cost heterogeneity across firm types and provides testable empirical implications regarding the underlying price-concentration relationship. Our results are consistent with a higher degree of price competition in food retailing and can explain the structure of this industry 20 years after the start of its consolidation process.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecmode:v:130:y:2024:i:c:s0264999323003978
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25