Search and Equilibrium Prices: Theory and Evidence from Retail Diesel

Luis Cabral, Dominik Schober and Oliver Woll

No 12813, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We examine the relation between consumer search and equilibrium prices when collusion in endogenously determined. We develop a theoretical model and show that average price is a U-shaped function of the measure of searchers: prices are highest when there are no searchers (local monopoly power) or when there are many searchers (and sellers opt to collude). We test this prediction with diesel retail prices in Dortmund, Germany. We estimate a U-shaped relation with statistical precision and a Euro .025/liter price variation due to the variation in the measure of searchers.

Date: 2018-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-com and nep-mkt
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