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Price-cost tests and loyalty discounts

Author

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  • Calzolari, Giacomo
  • Denicolo, Vincenzo

Abstract

We analyze, by means of a formal economic model, the use of price-cost tests to assess the competitive effects of loyalty discounts. In the model, a dominant firm enjoys a competitive advantage over its rivals and uses loyalty discounts as a means to boost the demand for its product. We show that in this framework price-cost tests are misleading or, at best, completely uninformative. Our results cast doubts on the applicability of price-tests to loyalty discount cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Calzolari, Giacomo & Denicolo, Vincenzo, 2018. "Price-cost tests and loyalty discounts," CEPR Discussion Papers 12924, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:12924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. B. Douglas Bernheim & Michael D. Whinston, 1998. "Exclusive Dealing," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 106(1), pages 64-103, February.
    2. Einer Elhauge, 2009. "How Loyalty Discounts Can Perversely Discourage Discounting," Journal of Competition Law and Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 5(2), pages 189-231.
    3. Yong, Jong-Say, 1996. "Excluding Capacity-Constrained Entrants through Exclusive Dealing: Theory and an Application to Ocean Shipping," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(2), pages 115-129, June.
    4. Giacomo Calzolari & Vincenzo Denicol?, 2013. "Competition with Exclusive Contracts and Market-Share Discounts," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(6), pages 2384-2411, October.
    5. Michael D. Whinston, 2008. "Lectures on Antitrust Economics," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262731878, December.
    6. Amir, Rabah & Jin, Jim Y., 2001. "Cournot and Bertrand equilibria compared: substitutability, complementarity and concavity," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 19(3-4), pages 303-317, March.
    7. Aghion, Philippe & Bolton, Patrick, 1987. "Contracts as a Barrier to Entry," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(3), pages 388-401, June.
    8. Adrian Majumdar & Greg Shaffer, 2009. "Market‐Share Contracts with Asymmetric Information," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(2), pages 393-421, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

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    3. Carlton, Dennis W., 2020. "Transaction costs and competition policy," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Loyalty discounts; As-efficient competitor; Price-cost tests; Sacrifice of profit; Contestable share;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D42 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Monopoly
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • L42 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Vertical Restraints; Resale Price Maintenance; Quantity Discounts

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