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Storability, Market Structure, and Demand-Shift Incentives

Author

Listed:
  • James J. Anton

    (Duke University)

  • Gopal Das Varma

    (CRA International)

Abstract

We consider a two-period model in which buyers can store a good by purchasing in advance of consumption so as to realize potential gains from intertemporal arbitrage. We find that storability introduces a kink in the aggregate period-1 demand. When supply is oligopolistic (quantity setting) and consumers are sufficiently patient (storage cost is relatively low), each firm has a strong current incentive to capture future market share from a rival. As a result, in equilibrium, the price path is increasing and there is rational in-advance purchase by buyers. In contrast, the monopoly and perfectly competitive markets exhibit no such price dynamics. Intermediate storage costs result in multiple equilibria, with at least one that involves advance purchase and one that does not.

Suggested Citation

  • James J. Anton & Gopal Das Varma, 2005. "Storability, Market Structure, and Demand-Shift Incentives," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 36(3), pages 520-543, Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:rje:randje:v:36:y:2005:3:p:520-543
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Nava & Pasquale Schiraldi, 2014. "Sales And Collusion In A Market With Storage," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 12(3), pages 791-832, June.
    2. repec:prg:jnlpep:v:preprint:id:712:p:1-16 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Fabio Antoniou & Raffaele Fiocco, 2019. "Strategic inventories under limited commitment," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 50(3), pages 695-729, September.
    4. Xi Li & Krista J. Li & Yan Xiong, 2023. "Channel Coordination of Storable Goods," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(3), pages 538-550, May.
    5. Nikolaus Fink, 2016. "Formation and Adaptation of the Sugar Cartel in Austria–Hungary," WIFO Working Papers 508, WIFO.
    6. Mitraille, Sébastien & Thille, Henry, 2014. "Speculative storage in imperfectly competitive markets," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 44-59.
    7. QU, Zhan & RAFF, Horst, 2023. "Two-part tariffs, inventory stockpiling, and the bullwhip effect," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 308(1), pages 201-214.
    8. Sébastien Mitraille & Henry Thille, 2020. "Strategic advance sales, demand uncertainty and overcommitment," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 69(3), pages 789-828, April.
    9. Manish Gangwar & Nanda Kumar & Ram C. Rao, 2014. "Consumer Stockpiling and Competitive Promotional Strategies," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 33(1), pages 94-113, January.
    10. J. Michael Collins & Amrita Kulka, 2023. "Saving by buying ahead: stockpiling in response to lump‐sum payments," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 451-484, December.
    11. Fabio Antoniou & Raffaele Fiocco, 2023. "Storable Good Market With Intertemporal Cost Variations," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(1), pages 361-385, February.
    12. Yong-Cong Yang & Pu-Yan Nie & Zhao-Hui Wang & Tan Zheng-Xun, 2019. "Spatial Monopoly with Upgrades of Durable Goods," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2019(5), pages 516-531.

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