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Little Cash, Little Carry: Liquidity Constraints and Missing Out on Bulk Discounts in Tanzania

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  • Michael Olabisi
  • Alexander Persaud

Abstract

Using high-frequency data on households’ item-level purchases from Tanzania, we show that liquidity constraints keep the poor from using bulk discounts consistently. On average, households save roughly 20% during the ‘flush’ days of the month, which comes from buying in bulk, and the poorest save over 30%. Relaxing liquidity constraints through wage income or higher wealth leads to lower prices paid overall and a lower drop when flush. We estimate that failing to use bulk discounts costs households at the first quartile of wealth an additional 1% of their spending on food relative to households at the third quartile.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Olabisi & Alexander Persaud, 2026. "Little Cash, Little Carry: Liquidity Constraints and Missing Out on Bulk Discounts in Tanzania," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(4), pages 582-603, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:62:y:2026:i:4:p:582-603
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2025.2533904
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