Prisdifferentieringars janusansikte : prisdifferentieringar mot mellanled som ett konkurrenspolitiskt problem

Sammanfattning: This project deals with how price discrimination in intermediate markets affects market performance in distribution channels. The main focus is examination of how legislators and courts have evaluated various forms of price differentiation and succeeded in influencing market behavior in a way that helps them achieve their objectives concerning private consumers, i.e. that consumers have access to goods and services that are of good quality and low price and easily accessible in terms of time and distance.The study uses a multistage model developed within the structure-conduct- performance paradigm. The model shows distribution from manufacturers through wholesalers and retailers to the consumer.The research methods include surveys of legislation, preparatory drafts and case law, as well as interviews in marketing channels for four types of consumer products.The results indicated that various forms of price differentiation in sales to intermediate markets exist. Some are accepted by courts, some are not and some have not been thoroughly examined.The legislators view and the courts' handling of price discrimination have contributed to increased concentration tendencies among sellers and buyers, which may mean that accessibility to markets by consumers can both deteriorate and improve. The downward pressure on prices in intermediate markets has quite often resulted in lower prices for consumers, but could on the other hand pose a risk in the long-run of that the most efficient companies, from a consumer perspective, will be driven out of business.