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The price-matching dilemma

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  • Constantinou, Evangelos
  • Bernhardt, Dan

Abstract

We characterize when strategic considerations of stores to match prices set by rivals on branded goods devolve into a prisoner’s dilemma. We consider a setting where stores also offer generic products, creating incentives to raise prices for branded goods that compete with generics—to shift consumer purchases toward more profitable generics. Price-matching guarantees commit stores not to set high prices for branded goods, thereby attracting more shoppers. When shopping price-elasticities are sufficiently high, a prisoner’s dilemma results.

Suggested Citation

  • Constantinou, Evangelos & Bernhardt, Dan, 2018. "The price-matching dilemma," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 97-113.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:59:y:2018:i:c:p:97-113
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2018.02.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arbatskaya, Maria & Hviid, Morten & Shaffer, Greg, 2004. "On the Incidence and Variety of Low-Price Guarantees," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 47(1), pages 307-332, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bottasso, Anna & Marocco, Paolo & Robbiano, Simone, 2020. "Price matching and platform pricing," MPRA Paper 104811, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Dan Bernhardt & Evangelos Constantinou & Mehdi Shadmehr, 2022. "When do Co‐located Firms Selling Identical Products Thrive?," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(3), pages 565-590, September.
    3. Wei, Jie & Chang, Meijing, 2023. "Are price matching and logistics service enhancement always effective strategies for improving profitability?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(1), pages 103-115.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price-matching guarantees; Prisoner’s dilemma; Branded goods; Generic goods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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