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

作者:Villas Boas Sofia Berto*
来源:Rand Journal of Economics, 2009, 40(1): 20-46.
DOI:10.1111/j.1756-2171.2008.00054.x

摘要

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.

  • 出版日期2009