We analyze a sample of consumer electronics products sold by the US NewEgg online retailer to study the impact of price-matching guarantees (PMGs) on prices. By applying a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the price of the policy-adopting retailer increases by 4.7% during the policy validity period and up to five days after treatment, while those of the non-adopting competitor are not affected. The results are mainly driven by highly rated, visible, and expensive products, whereas the policy does not affect low-rated, less visible, and cheaper products. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that PMGs act as price discrimination or signaling tools.
ECIN Replication Package for "Price Matching in Online Retail"
Anna Bottasso;Simone Robbiano
2024-01-01
Abstract
We analyze a sample of consumer electronics products sold by the US NewEgg online retailer to study the impact of price-matching guarantees (PMGs) on prices. By applying a difference-in-differences approach, we find that the price of the policy-adopting retailer increases by 4.7% during the policy validity period and up to five days after treatment, while those of the non-adopting competitor are not affected. The results are mainly driven by highly rated, visible, and expensive products, whereas the policy does not affect low-rated, less visible, and cheaper products. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that PMGs act as price discrimination or signaling tools.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.