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Price Matching Guarantees and Collusion: Theory and Evidence from Germany

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  • Cabral, Luis
  • Duerr, Niklas
  • Schober, Dominik
  • Woll, Oliver

Abstract

On May 27, 2015, the Shell network of gas stations in Germany introduced a Price Matching Guarantee (PMG) available to its card-carrying members. In the ensuing weeks, a series of attempts at tacit collusion took place, typically with stations increasing prices at around 12 noon by 3 cents. In this paper, we argue that the juxtaposition of these two events is not a mere coincidence. We first present a theoretical model to argue that a PMG can be a collusion enacting practice. We then test various predictions of our theoretical model. Our source of identification is geographical variation in the presence of Shell stations (the chain that enacted the PMG) as well consumer demographics. Our empirical tests are consistent with the theoretical predictions, showing effects that are both statistically and economically significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Cabral, Luis & Duerr, Niklas & Schober, Dominik & Woll, Oliver, 2021. "Price Matching Guarantees and Collusion: Theory and Evidence from Germany," CEPR Discussion Papers 15823, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15823
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cabral, Luis & Schober, Dominik & Woll, Oliver, 2018. "Search and Equilibrium Prices: Theory and Evidence from Retail Diesel," CEPR Discussion Papers 12813, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    2. James W. Friedman, 1971. "A Non-cooperative Equilibrium for Supergames," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 38(1), pages 1-12.
    3. Ran Zhuo, 2017. "Do Low†Price Guarantees Guarantee Low Prices? Evidence from Competition between Amazon and Big†Box Stores," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(4), pages 719-738, December.
    4. Maskin, Eric & Tirole, Jean, 1988. "A Theory of Dynamic Oligopoly, II: Price Competition, Kinked Demand Curves, and Edgeworth Cycles," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 56(3), pages 571-599, May.
    5. Joseph E. Harrington & Myong-Hun Chang, 2009. "Modeling the Birth and Death of Cartels with an Application to Evaluating Competition Policy," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 7(6), pages 1400-1435, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dovern, Jonas & Frank, Johannes & Glas, Alexander & Müller, Lena Sophia & Perico Ortiz, Daniel, 2023. "Estimating pass-through rates for the 2022 tax reduction on fuel prices in Germany," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Alderighi, Marco & Nicolini, Marcella, 2022. "Strategic information disclosure in vertical markets," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Trost, Michael, 2021. "The collusive efficacy of competition clauses in Bertrand Markets with capacity-constrained retailers," Hohenheim Discussion Papers in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 04-2021, University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
    4. Trost, Michael, 2022. "Unraveling the spreading pattern of collusively effective competition clauses," Hohenheim Discussion Papers in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 01-2022, University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

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