19.04.2016

Structural Adjustment in the Austrian Food Trade

Main event: Lectures "WIFO-Extern"
Persons: Michael Böheim, Franz Sinabell
Language: Englisch
Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung
The Austrian food retail trade is characterised by a high and rising market concentration. In addition to proceedings for forbidden price agreements in recent years, this sector has again come under economic policy scrutiny following the insolvency of Zielpunkt GmbH at the end of 2015. As the present study shows, the insolvency of this retail chain has only a minor impact on the quality of supply and the diversity of supply. However, since one competitor has left the market, the increase in market concentration is considerable. The planned takeover of some Zielpunkt branches by companies with low market shares cannot cushion the increase in market concentration, as most branches are taken over by the market leaders.