@article{Gabszewicz:232221, recid = {232221}, author = {Gabszewicz, Jean J. and Marini, Marco A. and Tarola, Ornella}, title = {Vertical Differentiation and Collusion: Cannibalization or Proliferation?}, address = {2016-03-01}, number = {843-2016-55939}, series = {ET}, pages = {22}, month = {Mar}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In this paper, we tackle the dilemma of pruning versus proliferation in a vertically differentiated oligopoly under the assumption that some firms collude and control both the range of variants for sale and their corresponding prices, likewise a multiproduct firm. We analyse whether pruning emerges and, if so, a fighting brand is marketed. We find that it is always more profitable for colluding firms to adopt a pricing strategy such that some variants are withdrawn from the market. Under pruning, these firms commercialize a fighting brand only when facing competitors in a low-end market. The same findings do not hold when firms are horizontally differentiated along a circle.}, url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/232221}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.232221}, }