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Consumer uncertainty and price discrimination through online coupons: An empirical study of restaurants in Shanghai

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  • (Catherine) Zhang, Jie
  • Savage, Scott J.
  • Chen, Yongmin

Abstract

We use data from restaurants in Shanghai, China to conduct a new empirical analysis of prices and coupons. Our results show a positive relationship between prices and online coupons. Moreover, the price premium from couponing is higher for restaurants about which consumer values appear to be more uncertain. When consumer uncertainty is high, restaurants that offer coupons have an average price that is about 60 percent higher than similar restaurants that do not issue coupons. When uncertainty is low, restaurants that offer coupons have an average price that is about 10 percent higher. These findings are consistent with online couponing in the restaurant industry being used for price discrimination and as a promotional device in the presence of higher uncertainty in consumer valuations.

Suggested Citation

  • (Catherine) Zhang, Jie & Savage, Scott J. & Chen, Yongmin, 2015. "Consumer uncertainty and price discrimination through online coupons: An empirical study of restaurants in Shanghai," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 43-55.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iepoli:v:33:y:2015:i:c:p:43-55
    DOI: 10.1016/j.infoecopol.2015.10.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yao Tang, 2023. "A product strategy for daily deal campaigns utilizing demand expansion and consumer leakage," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1861-1883, September.
    3. Jingmei Xu & Li Hu & Xiaolong Guo & Xia Yan, 2020. "Online cooperation mechanism: game analysis between a restaurant and a third-party website," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 61-73, February.
    4. Hui Zhang & Kai Luo & Guanqun Ni, 0. "The effects of price subsidy and fairness concern on pricing and benefits of take-away supply chain," Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-19.
    5. Li Li & Xiaotong Li & Wenmin Qi & Yue Zhang & Wensheng Yang, 2022. "Targeted reminders of electronic coupons: using predictive analytics to facilitate coupon marketing," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 321-350, June.
    6. Tang, Yao & Chen, Rachel R. & Guan, Xu, 2021. "Daily-deal market with consumer retention: Price discrimination or quality differentiation," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    7. Du, Zhong & Fan, Zhi-Ping & Chen, Zhongwei, 2023. "Implications of on-time delivery service with compensation for an online food delivery platform and a restaurant," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    8. Ruixue Liu & Jing Xiao, 2020. "Factors Affecting Users’ Satisfaction with Urban Parks through Online Comments Data: Evidence from Shenzhen, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Tuo Wang & Michael Y. Hu, 2019. "Differential pricing with consumers’ valuation uncertainty by a monopoly," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(3), pages 247-255, June.
    10. Xia Li, 2022. "The impact of place-of-origin on price premium for agricultural products: empirical evidence from Taobao.com," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 561-584, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Consumer uncertainty; Coupons; Price discrimination; Price promotion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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