Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/32788 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 10-022
Publisher: 
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim
Abstract: 
Basu (2006) argues that the prevalence of 99 cent prices in shops can be explained with rational consumers who disregard the rightmost digits of the price. This bounded rational behaviour leads to a Bertrand equilibrium with positive markups. We use data from an Austrian price comparison site and find results highly compatible with Basu's theory. We can show that price points - in particular prices ending in 9 - are prevalent and have significant impact on consumer demand. Moreover, these price points are sticky; neither the price-setter itself wants to change them neither the rivals do underbid these prices, if they represent the cheapest price on the market.
Subjects: 
Competitive Behaviour
Pricing Behaviour
E-Commerce
Pricing in the Nines
Focal Pricing
JEL: 
L11
D41
C41
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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