Liberalizing entry regulations boosts product variety and profits in retail.
The study looked at how rules for opening new stores affect the variety of products they offer. By analyzing data from Swedish retail, the researchers found that looser rules lead to more diverse products and higher profits in the long run. When regulations are relaxed, existing stores add more types of products, making things better for both shoppers and store owners. On the other hand, strict rules can cause stores to close down some product categories, hurting their business. Overall, making it easier for new stores to open can benefit everyone by increasing choices and efficiency in the market.