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How Do National Firms Respond to Local Cost Shocks?

Author

Listed:
  • R. Andrew Butters
  • Daniel W. Sacks
  • Boyoung Seo

Abstract

Recent research shows prices are insensitive to local demand conditions because national chains charge geographically uniform prices. We examine the price response to local cost shocks, including 68 excise tax changes, 76 sales tax changes, and other geographically based cost differences, using data on 35,151 retail stores in 96 multi-state chains. We find local cost shocks are passed through to local prices, with no spillovers to unaffected stores in otherwise affected chains, and at similar rates for national and local chains. Firms adjust local prices according to local cost changes, suggesting retailers respond asymmetrically to local cost and demand shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Andrew Butters & Daniel W. Sacks & Boyoung Seo, 2022. "How Do National Firms Respond to Local Cost Shocks?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(5), pages 1737-1772, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:112:y:2022:i:5:p:1737-72
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20201524
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hazell, Jonathon & Patterson, Christina & Sarsons, Heather & Taska, Bledi, 2023. "National Wage Setting," IZA Discussion Papers 16493, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Dong, Xiao, 2023. "Does seasonal product rotation contribute to countercyclical pricing and cheaper turkeys during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    3. Isogai, Shigeki & Shen, Chaohai, 2023. "Multiproduct firm’s reputation and leniency program in multimarket collusion," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Qin, Fei & Ma, Meilin, 2022. "Unit Pricing Regulation and Non-Price Responses of Retailers: Evidence from the U.S. Yogurt Market," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322243, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. MacDonald, James M. & Dong, Xiao & Fuglie, Keith O., 2023. "Concentration and Competition in U.S. Agribusiness," Economic Information Bulletin 337566, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    6. Beck, Günter W. & Carstensen, Kai & Menz, Jan-Oliver & Schnorrenberger, Richard & Wieland, Elisabeth, 2023. "Nowcasting consumer price inflation using high-frequency scanner data: Evidence from Germany," Discussion Papers 34/2023, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    7. Bryan Bollinger & Steven E. Sexton, 2023. "Local excise taxes, sticky prices, and spillovers: evidence from Berkeley’s soda tax," Quantitative Marketing and Economics (QME), Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 281-331, June.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce

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