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Intertemporal Price Discrimination in Sequential Quantity-Price Games

Author

Listed:
  • James D. Dana

    (Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115)

  • Kevin R. Williams

    (Yale School of Management, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138)

Abstract

This paper develops an oligopoly model in which firms first choose capacity and then compete in prices in a series of advance-purchase markets. We show that the existence of multiple sales opportunities creates strong competitive forces that prevent firms from utilizing intertemporal price discrimination. We then show that intertemporal price discrimination is possible but only when firms adopt inventory controls (sales limit restrictions) and demand becomes more inelastic over time. Therefore, we show that in addition to being useful to manage demand uncertainty, inventory controls are also a tool to soften price competition. We discuss model extensions, including product differentiation, aggregate demand uncertainty, and longer sales horizons.

Suggested Citation

  • James D. Dana & Kevin R. Williams, 2022. "Intertemporal Price Discrimination in Sequential Quantity-Price Games," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(5), pages 966-981, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormksc:v:41:y:2022:i:5:p:966-981
    DOI: 10.1287/mksc.2021.1345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Naveed Chehrazi & Robert Evan Sanders & Ioannis Stamatopoulos, 2025. "Inventory Information Frictions Explain Price Rigidity in Perishable Groceries," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(2), pages 411-436, March.
    2. Zhang, H. & Czerny, A.I. & van Ommeren, J. & Niemeier, H.-M., 2025. "Intertemporal price dispersion: The role of competition," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    3. Limor Dina Gonen & Tchai Tavor & Uriel Spiegel, 2024. "Unlocking Market Potential: Strategic Consumer Segmentation and Dynamic Pricing for Balancing Loyalty and Deal Seeking," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-31, October.
    4. Bao, Chunyu & Li, Min & Pei, Yiying, 2026. "Customer flow spillovers in retailers' short- and long-term decisions: Profitability and dynamic mechanisms," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Xing, Yunfei & He, Yuming & Zeng, Luona, 2026. "Unveiling big data-driven price discrimination in China: Evidence from public opinion on Chinese Tiktok," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    6. Daniel Garcia & Maarten C. W. Janssen & Radostina Shopova, 2023. "Dynamic Pricing with Uncertain Capacities," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(9), pages 5275-5297, September.

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