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Who Faces Higher Prices? An Empirical Analysis Based on Japanese Homescan Data

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  • Naohito Abe
  • Kyosuke Shiotani

Abstract

type="main"> On the basis of household-level scanner data (called homescan data) for Japan, we construct a household-level price index and investigate the causes of price differences across households. We observe large price differentials across households, a result that is consistent with the previous research based on the data in the USA. However, the differences across age and income groups are small. In addition, we find that elderly people face higher prices than the younger ones, which is contrary to the results of the previous research. The most important determinant of the price level is the extent to which households rely on bargain sales; doubling purchases of goods at bargain sales decreases the price level by about 2%, while shopping frequency only has a limited effect on the price level.

Suggested Citation

  • Naohito Abe & Kyosuke Shiotani, 2014. "Who Faces Higher Prices? An Empirical Analysis Based on Japanese Homescan Data," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 94-115, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:asiapr:v:9:y:2014:i:1:p:94-115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Abe, Naohito & Shiotani, Kyosuke, 2014. "Analysis of Price Level Heterogeneity across Households based on the Geary-Khamis Price Index," Research Center for Price Dynamics Working Paper Series 11, Research Center for Price Dynamics, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    2. Takatoshi Ito & Kazumasa Iwata & Colin McKenzie & Shujiro Urata & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2014. "Japan's Persistent Deflation and Monetary Policy: Editors' Overview," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Yukinobu Kitamura, 2014. "Comment on “Who Faces Higher Prices? An Empirical Analysis Based on Japanese Homescan Data”," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 118-119, January.
    4. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2018. "The Formation of Consumer Inflation Expectations: New Evidence From Japan's Deflation Experience," CARF F-Series CARF-F-442, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    5. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2016. "The Formation of Consumer Inflation Expectations:Evidence From Japan's Deflation Experience," UTokyo Price Project Working Paper Series 067, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Economics.
    6. Michio Suzuki, 2014. "Comment on “Who Faces Higher Prices? An Empirical Analysis Based on Japanese Homescan Data”," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 116-117, January.
    7. Nao Sudo & Kozo Ueda & Kota Watanabe, 2014. "Micro Price Dynamics during Japan's Lost Decades," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 44-64, January.
    8. Kosuke Aoki, 2014. "Comment on “Micro Price Dynamics during Japan's Lost Decades”," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 9(1), pages 65-66, January.
    9. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2018. "The Formation of Consumer Inflation Expectations: New Evidence From Japan's Deflation Experience," Working Papers on Central Bank Communication 001, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Economics.
    10. Olegs Krasnopjorovs, 2022. "Whether Low-Income Households and Retirees Face Higher Inflation? Evidence from Latvia," Post-Print hal-03861129, HAL.
    11. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2016. "The Formation of Consumer Inflation Expectations: New Evidence From Japan's Deflation Experience," CARF F-Series CARF-F-388, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    12. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2019. "The Formation of Consumer Inflation Expectations: New Evidence From Japan's Deflation Experience," Bank of Japan Working Paper Series 19-E-13, Bank of Japan.

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