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Price-setting Behavior and Competition in Developing Countries: An Analysis of Retail Outlets in Lesotho

We study the relationship between price-setting behavior and the degree of competition in a setting where markets and information flows are relatively imperfect. Using a unique dataset that combines survey data on retail outlets in Lesotho, and detailed historical information on their product prices, we find a non-monotonic relationship between the frequency of price changes and perceived competition, measured by the number of reported competitors. This non-monotonic relationship is consistent with a model of increasing costs of coordinating price changes under tacit collusion with few competitors, and a breakdown of collusion at higher levels of competition.

Working paper 567
1 December 2015
Related Journal

Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade
21 March 2018
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