Short-term jobs and long-term job loss of large supermarket entry

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of emerging supermarkets on local employment at the city level. Using a panel dataset for the period between 2000 and 2006, we find that entry of supermarkets largely increases employment in the wholesale and retail sector and other related sectors in the year of entry, but the positive effect on employment on the wholesale and retail sector only persists for a short period of time. It reverses two years later, due possibly to exits or contracting of small retailers. Further evidence from another dataset at the community level supports this explanation.