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Markups for Consumers

Author

Listed:
  • Ganglmair Bernhard
  • Kann Alexander

    (University of Mannheim and ZEW Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany)

  • Tsanko Ilona

    (ZEW Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany)

Abstract

A central motivating factor for studying price markups is their effect on consumer welfare. However, reported estimates of (firm-level) price markups in the literature often focus on industry or cross-country comparisons. These treat different industries equally rather than based on how relevant they are for consumers. We propose markup measures in which firm-level price markups are weighted according to consumption expenditures in the respective industries. Using a concordance table between consumption categories (otherwise used for the calculation of consumer price indices) and a firm’s industry classification, we report results for Germany for the years 2002 through 2016. We find that consumption-weighted price markups are higher and have increased faster than the conventionally reported revenue-weighted markups. We further show that consumption-weighted markups are highest for low-income households, highlighting the potential role of price markups as a contributing factor to changes in inequality in society.

Suggested Citation

  • Ganglmair Bernhard & Kann Alexander & Tsanko Ilona, 2021. "Markups for Consumers," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 241(5-6), pages 701-734, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:241:y:2021:i:5-6:p:701-734:n:11
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2020-0059
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COICOP; consumption weights; Germany; inequality; price markups;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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