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Consumer Stockpiling and Price Competition in Differentiated Markets

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  • Liang Guo
  • J. Miguel Villas‐Boas

Abstract

In many storable‐goods markets, firms are often aware that consumers may strategically adjust purchase timing in response to expected price dynamics. For example, in periods when prices are low, consumers stockpile for future consumption. This paper investigates the dynamic impact of consumer stockpiling on competing firms' strategic pricing decisions in differentiated markets. The necessity of equilibrium consumer storage for storable products is re‐examined. It is shown that preference heterogeneity generates differential consumer stockpiling propensity, thereby intensifying future price competition. As a result, consumer storage may not necessarily arise as an equilibrium outcome. Economic forces are also investigated that may mitigate the competition‐intensifying effect of consumer inventories and that, hence, may lead to equilibrium consumer storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Guo & J. Miguel Villas‐Boas, 2007. "Consumer Stockpiling and Price Competition in Differentiated Markets," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(4), pages 827-858, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jemstr:v:16:y:2007:i:4:p:827-858
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9134.2007.00159.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Monic Sun, 2012. "How Does the Variance of Product Ratings Matter?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(4), pages 696-707, April.
    2. Fabio Antoniou & Raffaele Fiocco, 2019. "Strategic inventories under limited commitment," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 50(3), pages 695-729, September.
    3. Klumpp, Tilman, 2021. "Stockpiling and Shortages (the “Toilet Paper Paper")," Working Papers 2021-2, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    4. Mitraille, Sébastien & Thille, Henry, 2014. "Speculative storage in imperfectly competitive markets," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 44-59.
    5. Ruochen Li, 2021. "Consumer stockpiling and demand elasticity biases: A theoretical note with applications," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 89(6), pages 610-618, December.
    6. Sébastien Mitraille & Henry Thille, 2020. "Strategic advance sales, demand uncertainty and overcommitment," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 69(3), pages 789-828, April.
    7. Manish Gangwar & Nanda Kumar & Ram C. Rao, 2014. "Consumer Stockpiling and Competitive Promotional Strategies," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 33(1), pages 94-113, January.
    8. Heiman, Amir & Ofir, Chezy, 2010. "The effects of imbalanced competition on demonstration strategies," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 175-187.
    9. Naeem, Muhammad, 2021. "Do social media platforms develop consumer panic buying during the fear of Covid-19 pandemic," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    10. Steffen Zimmermann & Philipp Herrmann & Dennis Kundisch & Barrie R. Nault, 2018. "Decomposing the Variance of Consumer Ratings and the Impact on Price and Demand," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 984-1002, December.
    11. Grace Chua & Kum Fai Yuen & Xueqin Wang & Yiik Diew Wong, 2021. "The Determinants of Panic Buying during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-28, March.
    12. Fabio Antoniou & Raffaele Fiocco, 2023. "Storable Good Market With Intertemporal Cost Variations," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(1), pages 361-385, February.
    13. Manish Gangwar & Nanda Kumar & Ram C. Rao, 2021. "Pricing Under Dynamic Competition When Loyal Consumers Stockpile," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 40(3), pages 569-588, May.
    14. Garrod Luke & Li Ruochen & Wilson Chris M., 2019. "Transaction Costs as a Source of Consumer Stockpiling," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, July.
    15. Xi Li & Krista J. Li & Yan Xiong, 2023. "Channel Coordination of Storable Goods," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(3), pages 538-550, May.

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