The Impact of Retail Mergers on Food Prices: Evidence from France
Authors:
Claire Chambolle, Marie-Laurie Allain, Stephanie Turolla
Tags:
anti-trust, ex-post merger, food company mergers, food expenditures, food industry concentration, monopolies, pricing strategies, retail sector
Journal:
CUDARE Working Papers
Year Published:
2016
Policy Summary
The authors studied the effect food company mergers in France have on food prices both the local and national levels. Their analysis found that food prices at stores not included in the merger (defined as “external” prices) increased after mergers. Consumers shifted their food dollars to spend more at stores included in the merger (food cost less there) and less at “external” stores.
