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Local Market Structure and Consumer Prices: Evidence from a Retail Merger

Author

Listed:
  • Dennis Rickert

    (CERNA i3 - Centre d'économie industrielle i3 - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Jan Philip Schain

    (DICE - Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics - Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf = Heinrich Heine University [Düsseldorf])

  • Joel Stiebale

    (DICE - Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics - Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf = Heinrich Heine University [Düsseldorf])

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of a merger between a German supermarket chain and a soft discounter on consumer prices. We exploit geographic variation in prices within retail chains and brands and use a difference-in-differences estimator to compare regional markets with a change in market structure to a control group in unaffected markets. Our results indicate that both insiders and outsiders raised average prices after the merger, particularly in regions with high expected change in retail concentration. In contrast, we estimate price declines in regions that did not experience a rise in concentration but were potentially affected by cost savings within the merged entity. We also provide evidence that remedies imposed by competition authorities were not sufficient to o set anti-competitive effects.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Rickert & Jan Philip Schain & Joel Stiebale, 2021. "Local Market Structure and Consumer Prices: Evidence from a Retail Merger," Post-Print hal-04056630, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04056630
    DOI: 10.1111/joie.12275
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Clemens Fuest & Florian Neumeier & Daniel Stöhlker, 2020. "The Pass-Through of Temporary VAT Rate Cuts in German Supermarket Retail," ifo Working Paper Series 341, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    2. repec:ags:aaea22:336009 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Elena Argentesi & Paolo Buccirossi & Roberto Cervone & Tomaso Duso & Alessia Marrazzo, 2018. "Price or Variety? An Evaluation of Mergers Effects in Grocery Retailing," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1734, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Paudel, Ujjwol, 2023. "Cross-Platforms Merger Effects," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 336009, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Holler, Emanuel & Rickert, Dennis, 2022. "How resale price maintenance and loss leading affect upstream cartel stability: Anatomy of a coffee cartel," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Clemens Fuest & Florian Neumeier & Daniel Stöhlker, 2025. "The pass-through of temporary VAT rate cuts: evidence from German supermarket retail," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 32(1), pages 51-97, February.
    7. Yanghao Wang & Metin Çakır & Timothy A. Park, 2025. "The role of geographic market definition in analysis of grocery retailing," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 107(1), pages 208-230, January.
    8. Oschmann, Sebastian, 2025. "Vertical market structure matters: The case of a horizontal retail merger in the German gasoline market," DICE Discussion Papers 418, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).
    9. Çakır, Metin & Pérez, Ana M. & Arita, Shawn & Cooper, Joseph & Nemec Boehm, Rebecca, 2024. "Perspectives on high U.S. retail food prices during 2020–2022," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law

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