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  5. “Quick Response” Economic Stimulus: The Effect of Small-Value Digital Coupons on Spending

“Quick Response” Economic Stimulus: The Effect of Small-Value Digital Coupons on Spending

Abstract

We study a new consumption stimulus program implemented by a large Chinese city that leverages mobile payment platforms to dispense massive amounts of small-value digital coupons. Exploiting a “rush” design of the dispensing process in which over 1 million program participants compete for coupons on a first-come, first-served basis through a digital portal, we estimate that winning coupons increases weekly out-of-pocket spending by $3 for every $1 in government subsidy. Coupon-winning consumers practice intertemporal substitution by moving up purchases that would have been made four months in the future. Customer flow analysis suggests that coupons distort consumption toward pricier options.

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