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The Causal Effect of Competition on Prices and Quality: Evidence from a Field Experiment

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  • Matias Busso
  • Sebastian Galiani

Abstract

This paper provides experimental evidence on the effect of increased competition on prices and quality in the retail sector. We randomized the entry of 61 firms into 72 markets serving the beneficiaries of a conditional cash transfer program in the Dominican Republic. Six months after the intervention entry into the market led to reductions in prices ranging from 2 to 6 percent and to a statistically significant improvement in self-reported service quality. Prices dropped more in areas where the number of entrants was larger. Competition seems to have driven part of the clientele away from incumbent retailers.

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  • Matias Busso & Sebastian Galiani, 2014. "The Causal Effect of Competition on Prices and Quality: Evidence from a Field Experiment," NBER Working Papers 20054, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20054
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    JEL classification:

    • D4 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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