Small Price Responses to Large Demand Shocks

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the European Economic Association
Year: 2020
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Pages: 792-828

Authors (2)

Etienne Gagnon (Federal Reserve Board (Board o...) David López-Salido (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We study the pricing response of U.S. supermarkets to large demand shocks triggered by labor conflicts, mass population displacement, and shopping sprees around major snowstorms and hurricanes. We find that these large swings in demand have, at best, modest effects on the level of retail prices, consistent with flat short- to medium-term supply curves. This finding holds even when shocks are highly persistent and despite the fact that stores adjust prices frequently. We also provide evidence that retailers maintain frequent promotional sales even as their demand varies and that they seek to match movements in their local competitors’ recourse to promotional sales.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:jeurec:v:18:y:2020:i:2:p:792-828.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25