In this paper we assess the impact of the LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retail... more In this paper we assess the impact of the LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retailing industry. We use difference–in–difference technique, comparing the level of concentration, number of stores, average store size and level of service offered to consumers in regions enacting mandated consistent with the LD 114/1998, versus those that did not. Results show that, once the endogenous nature of policy changes is controlled for, the policy appears more effective than expected, in terms of its impact on concentration, consumers' access, store size and level of service to consumers. While the decree overall seems to have help the consumer to have more access and more in-store services, our analysis suggests food retailing became more concentrated in response to the implementation of the LD 114/1998. Further, the effect of the liberalization seems to have stronger effects in regions where the level of liberalization implemented is "low".
In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use week... more In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use weekly retail scanner data from 2009 to 2011 to measure price dispersion and inflation for several dairy products. We implement a linear model to investigate the linkage between price dispersion and consumer price indexes. As in the previous literature, we obtain mixed results with respect to the relationship between price dispersion and inflation, and further investigation and theoretical refinement are needed to identify a common pattern.
In the last two decades the Italian food retail landscape has changed considerably also thanks to... more In the last two decades the Italian food retail landscape has changed considerably also thanks to the LD 114/1998 and subsequent trade liberalization laws. In this study, we investigate the impact of LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retailing industry and on the food and beverage price index. We use difference–in–difference to compare the level of concentration, number of stores, average store size and in-store services in regions enacting changes mandated by the LD 114/1998, versus those which did not; we also measure both the direct and indirect (through change in retail structure) policy effects on food price levels. Results show that, once the endogenous nature of policy changes is controlled for, the policy appears affecting more smaller than larger outlets, although facilitating consolidation across store formats. The effects on price levels seem mixed, varying in function of the structural metric considered, however showing no overall effect. Last, the effect ...
In spite of Italy presenting one of the largest consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) among E... more In spite of Italy presenting one of the largest consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) among EU Countries, the number of adult Italians consuming the recommended daily amounts of FV is declining, especially in the South of the country, were the expansion of the food retail industry has been lagging. In this article we assess whether the food retail structure affects the likelihood of adult Italians consuming five or more daily portions of FV, using 9 years of individual-level data on individuals' lifestyle, including eating habits and perceived access to supermarkets, matched with detailed regional data on the food retail structure. In our analysis we use a Two-Step Instrumental Variable Probit estimator and variables indicating the political climate of the different regions to correct for the potential endogeneity of geographic disparity in retail structures. Results show that increased access and availability of fruits and vegetables affect positively the probability of con...
Using a panel data set on the yogurt market for four hundred points of sale in Italy, we investig... more Using a panel data set on the yogurt market for four hundred points of sale in Italy, we investigate, at the segment level, the interactions between private label (PL) market shares and national brand (NB) leader’s prices. We estimate a reduced form model which controls for the heterogeneity of point of sales and time using a two way fixed effect (FE) error components model (ECM). Consistently with several theoretical findings available in the literature, we expect retailers to use PL to discriminate prices among different groups of consumers. The analysis, however, shows not all segments of the market are influenced by PL shares. Specifically, for the most dynamic segments (functional and yogurt with snack), Pl shares are on average smaller and NB leader’s prices are not affected by their presence. Differently, in the most traditional segments (whole and skimmed yogurt), where PL exhibits on average a sizable presence, the analysis shows a positive effect between PL shares and NB p...
The overarching research aims of this work is to contribute to a well establish literature on foo... more The overarching research aims of this work is to contribute to a well establish literature on food policy and health consumption with the final goal of building healthier societies. The dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay looks at the effect of food stamp distribution on food purchasing behavior. The second essay examines if children, during school lunch, suffer from hunger cues that could impact their behavior when choosing meals and the effect of providing a pre-lunch snack. The third essay explores the effect of retailer marketing mix on influencing food price inflation.
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate ... more Abstract Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. To test the responsiveness of wine consumers to carbon footprint stimuli we set a natural field experiment in a restaurant modifying the choice architecture of wine decisions. We modified wine cards to provide different information and price incentives to consumers to test the effects of two policy interventions for reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, we test the provision of carbon footprint information and an additional price for carbon emissions. We randomly assigned subjects to four different wine cards. Results show that carbon footprint information alone is not enough to affect wine choices, but its effect becomes significant when combined with a price change. A card showing the carbon footprint of wine bottles and proportionally higher wine prices was associated with choices leading to lower carbon emissions. However, when information about the additional price to offset wine carbon emissions was made explicitly visible to consumers on another card, an opposite effect of an increase in the choice of wines with higher carbon-emitting production processes was observed. This finding indicates that how the price increase is presented can affect wine choices, highlighting the importance of careful information policy design.
This study aims to evaluate the impact of two menu-labeling formats on changes in dietary choices... more This study aims to evaluate the impact of two menu-labeling formats on changes in dietary choices in an away-from-home meal, specifically in a university cafeteria. A field experiment at a university cafeteria in Italy was conducted providing two different types of nutritional labels. The experiment lasted four days, spread over two weeks during which a total of 930 observations were collected. During each day of the experiment, only in one food line (treated line) a label indicating the healthy options was displayed, while in the other line no label was presented (control line). The paper describes two indexes to measure how the selected food choices for each participant are in line with what suggested by the labels. We define five different classes of these indexes and we test our hypothesis using an ordered logit model. Results show the labels we provided had no significant impact on changing the tray composition, in accordance with other previous experiments suggesting that addi...
In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use week... more In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use weekly retail scanner data from 2009 to 2011 to measure price dispersion and inflation for several dairy products. We implement a linear model to investigate the linkage between price dispersion and consumer price indexes. As in the previous literature, we obtain mixed results with respect to the relationship between price dispersion and inflation, and further investigation and theoretical refinement are needed to identify a common pattern.
Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. T... more Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. To test the responsiveness of wine consumers to carbon footprint stimuli we set a natural field experiment in a restaurant modifying the choice architecture of wine decisions. We modified wine cards to provide different information and price incentives to consumers to test the effects of two policy interventions for reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, we test the provision of carbon footprint information and an additional price for carbon emissions. We randomly assigned subjects to four different wine cards. Results show that carbon footprint information alone is not enough to affect wine choices, but its effect becomes significant when combined with a price change. A card showing the carbon footprint of wine bottles and proportionally higher wine prices was associated with choices leading to lower carbon emissions. However, when information about the additional price to offset wine car...
The current work investigates the heterogeneous effect of the 2008 recession on health outcomes i... more The current work investigates the heterogeneous effect of the 2008 recession on health outcomes in the Italian population across the main geographic areas. Health outcomes were proxied by individual-level information on healthy/risky behaviors, such as individual fruit and vegetable consumption, frequency of bodyweight monitoring, smoking, and alcohol intake. These health outcomes were employed as dependent variables in the empirical model that included some socioeconomic individual aspects (e.g., age, gender, education, and income source), as well as consumer price index data for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and fruit and vegetables. In this work, we used twelve years of data (2005-2016) from the Italian Multipurpose Household Survey (MHS), which collects individual self-reported characteristics, augmented with information on unemployment rates at the regional level, as well as with consumer price indexes for the goods analyzed. The results indicated that the 2008 economic crisis lowered the probability that individuals engage in healthy behaviors, such as self-monitoring their bodyweight, mostly among individuals in northern and central areas. Likewise, the economic downturn increased the probability of smoking regardless of the geographic area, with a larger magnitude in individuals in northern and central areas, whose health outcomes were more impacted by the economic downturn than individuals living in the southern and island areas.
In this paper we assess the impact of the LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retail... more In this paper we assess the impact of the LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retailing industry. We use difference–in–difference technique, comparing the level of concentration, number of stores, average store size and level of service offered to consumers in regions enacting mandated consistent with the LD 114/1998, versus those that did not. Results show that, once the endogenous nature of policy changes is controlled for, the policy appears more effective than expected, in terms of its impact on concentration, consumers' access, store size and level of service to consumers. While the decree overall seems to have help the consumer to have more access and more in-store services, our analysis suggests food retailing became more concentrated in response to the implementation of the LD 114/1998. Further, the effect of the liberalization seems to have stronger effects in regions where the level of liberalization implemented is "low".
In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use week... more In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use weekly retail scanner data from 2009 to 2011 to measure price dispersion and inflation for several dairy products. We implement a linear model to investigate the linkage between price dispersion and consumer price indexes. As in the previous literature, we obtain mixed results with respect to the relationship between price dispersion and inflation, and further investigation and theoretical refinement are needed to identify a common pattern.
In the last two decades the Italian food retail landscape has changed considerably also thanks to... more In the last two decades the Italian food retail landscape has changed considerably also thanks to the LD 114/1998 and subsequent trade liberalization laws. In this study, we investigate the impact of LD 114/1998 on the structure of the Italian food retailing industry and on the food and beverage price index. We use difference–in–difference to compare the level of concentration, number of stores, average store size and in-store services in regions enacting changes mandated by the LD 114/1998, versus those which did not; we also measure both the direct and indirect (through change in retail structure) policy effects on food price levels. Results show that, once the endogenous nature of policy changes is controlled for, the policy appears affecting more smaller than larger outlets, although facilitating consolidation across store formats. The effects on price levels seem mixed, varying in function of the structural metric considered, however showing no overall effect. Last, the effect ...
In spite of Italy presenting one of the largest consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) among E... more In spite of Italy presenting one of the largest consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) among EU Countries, the number of adult Italians consuming the recommended daily amounts of FV is declining, especially in the South of the country, were the expansion of the food retail industry has been lagging. In this article we assess whether the food retail structure affects the likelihood of adult Italians consuming five or more daily portions of FV, using 9 years of individual-level data on individuals' lifestyle, including eating habits and perceived access to supermarkets, matched with detailed regional data on the food retail structure. In our analysis we use a Two-Step Instrumental Variable Probit estimator and variables indicating the political climate of the different regions to correct for the potential endogeneity of geographic disparity in retail structures. Results show that increased access and availability of fruits and vegetables affect positively the probability of con...
Using a panel data set on the yogurt market for four hundred points of sale in Italy, we investig... more Using a panel data set on the yogurt market for four hundred points of sale in Italy, we investigate, at the segment level, the interactions between private label (PL) market shares and national brand (NB) leader’s prices. We estimate a reduced form model which controls for the heterogeneity of point of sales and time using a two way fixed effect (FE) error components model (ECM). Consistently with several theoretical findings available in the literature, we expect retailers to use PL to discriminate prices among different groups of consumers. The analysis, however, shows not all segments of the market are influenced by PL shares. Specifically, for the most dynamic segments (functional and yogurt with snack), Pl shares are on average smaller and NB leader’s prices are not affected by their presence. Differently, in the most traditional segments (whole and skimmed yogurt), where PL exhibits on average a sizable presence, the analysis shows a positive effect between PL shares and NB p...
The overarching research aims of this work is to contribute to a well establish literature on foo... more The overarching research aims of this work is to contribute to a well establish literature on food policy and health consumption with the final goal of building healthier societies. The dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay looks at the effect of food stamp distribution on food purchasing behavior. The second essay examines if children, during school lunch, suffer from hunger cues that could impact their behavior when choosing meals and the effect of providing a pre-lunch snack. The third essay explores the effect of retailer marketing mix on influencing food price inflation.
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate ... more Abstract Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. To test the responsiveness of wine consumers to carbon footprint stimuli we set a natural field experiment in a restaurant modifying the choice architecture of wine decisions. We modified wine cards to provide different information and price incentives to consumers to test the effects of two policy interventions for reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, we test the provision of carbon footprint information and an additional price for carbon emissions. We randomly assigned subjects to four different wine cards. Results show that carbon footprint information alone is not enough to affect wine choices, but its effect becomes significant when combined with a price change. A card showing the carbon footprint of wine bottles and proportionally higher wine prices was associated with choices leading to lower carbon emissions. However, when information about the additional price to offset wine carbon emissions was made explicitly visible to consumers on another card, an opposite effect of an increase in the choice of wines with higher carbon-emitting production processes was observed. This finding indicates that how the price increase is presented can affect wine choices, highlighting the importance of careful information policy design.
This study aims to evaluate the impact of two menu-labeling formats on changes in dietary choices... more This study aims to evaluate the impact of two menu-labeling formats on changes in dietary choices in an away-from-home meal, specifically in a university cafeteria. A field experiment at a university cafeteria in Italy was conducted providing two different types of nutritional labels. The experiment lasted four days, spread over two weeks during which a total of 930 observations were collected. During each day of the experiment, only in one food line (treated line) a label indicating the healthy options was displayed, while in the other line no label was presented (control line). The paper describes two indexes to measure how the selected food choices for each participant are in line with what suggested by the labels. We define five different classes of these indexes and we test our hypothesis using an ordered logit model. Results show the labels we provided had no significant impact on changing the tray composition, in accordance with other previous experiments suggesting that addi...
In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use week... more In this paper we investigate the relationship between price dispersion and inflation; we use weekly retail scanner data from 2009 to 2011 to measure price dispersion and inflation for several dairy products. We implement a linear model to investigate the linkage between price dispersion and consumer price indexes. As in the previous literature, we obtain mixed results with respect to the relationship between price dispersion and inflation, and further investigation and theoretical refinement are needed to identify a common pattern.
Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. T... more Growing evidence suggests that consumers should be involved in the solutions to climate change. To test the responsiveness of wine consumers to carbon footprint stimuli we set a natural field experiment in a restaurant modifying the choice architecture of wine decisions. We modified wine cards to provide different information and price incentives to consumers to test the effects of two policy interventions for reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, we test the provision of carbon footprint information and an additional price for carbon emissions. We randomly assigned subjects to four different wine cards. Results show that carbon footprint information alone is not enough to affect wine choices, but its effect becomes significant when combined with a price change. A card showing the carbon footprint of wine bottles and proportionally higher wine prices was associated with choices leading to lower carbon emissions. However, when information about the additional price to offset wine car...
The current work investigates the heterogeneous effect of the 2008 recession on health outcomes i... more The current work investigates the heterogeneous effect of the 2008 recession on health outcomes in the Italian population across the main geographic areas. Health outcomes were proxied by individual-level information on healthy/risky behaviors, such as individual fruit and vegetable consumption, frequency of bodyweight monitoring, smoking, and alcohol intake. These health outcomes were employed as dependent variables in the empirical model that included some socioeconomic individual aspects (e.g., age, gender, education, and income source), as well as consumer price index data for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and fruit and vegetables. In this work, we used twelve years of data (2005-2016) from the Italian Multipurpose Household Survey (MHS), which collects individual self-reported characteristics, augmented with information on unemployment rates at the regional level, as well as with consumer price indexes for the goods analyzed. The results indicated that the 2008 economic crisis lowered the probability that individuals engage in healthy behaviors, such as self-monitoring their bodyweight, mostly among individuals in northern and central areas. Likewise, the economic downturn increased the probability of smoking regardless of the geographic area, with a larger magnitude in individuals in northern and central areas, whose health outcomes were more impacted by the economic downturn than individuals living in the southern and island areas.
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Papers by Elena Castellari