Mark Bergen | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (original) (raw)

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Papers by Mark Bergen

Marketing Science, 2005

Asymmetric pricing is the phenomenon where prices rise more readily than they fall. We articulate... more Asymmetric pricing is the phenomenon where prices rise more readily than they fall. We articulate, and provide empirical support for, a theory of asymmetric pricing in wholesale prices. In particular, we show how wholesale prices may be asymmetric in the small but symmetric in the large, when retailers face costs of price adjustments. Such retailers will not adjust prices for

Analyzing scanner price data that cover 27 product categories over an eight-year period from a la... more Analyzing scanner price data that cover 27 product categories over an eight-year period from a large Mid-western supermarket chain, we uncover a surprising regularity in the data—small price increases occur more frequently than small price decreases. We find that this asymmetry holds for price changes of up to about 10 cents, on average. The asymmetry disappears for larger price changes.

Plural distribution systems are often found in industrial markets. Although transaction cost anal... more Plural distribution systems are often found in industrial markets. Although transaction cost analysis has been successfully applied to understanding decisions about distribution systems, these plural forms have been virtually ignored in extant empirical work. Critics suggest that extant transaction cost models are inadequate to study these systems. We contend that transaction cost reasoning can be readily applied to understanding these

We empirically study the price adjustment process at multiproduct retail stores. We use a unique ... more We empirically study the price adjustment process at multiproduct retail stores. We use a unique store level data set for five large supermarket and one drugstore chains in the U.S., to document the exact process required to change prices. Our data set allows us to study this process in great detail, describing the exact procedure, stages, and steps undertaken during

Territorial restrictions long have been the subject of intense policy debate. The central issue i... more Territorial restrictions long have been the subject of intense policy debate. The central issue in this debate has been whether such distribution arrangements are deployed tor efficiency or anticompetitive purposes. The authors add to the debate by broadening the existing conceptualization ot business efficiency and providing evidence of the im- portance of efficiency considerations in the decision to deploy restrictions.