In a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, a new grocery quietly opens its doors. Within weeks, prices at nearby shops fall and customers report better service. Far away, in Mexico City’s sprawling suburbs, the arrival of retail chain stores tells a similar story. As convenience-store chains spread from 2,000 to more than 23,000 outlets over two decades, they … [Read more...] about Corner Shops and the Cost of Market Power: Lessons from Latin America
When Market Power Meets the Rainforest
In the depths of the Amazon, market power takes unexpected forms. Far from the corporate boardrooms of São Paulo or New York, economic concentration can determine whether small producers thrive, whether forests stand, and whether communities escape poverty. Two recent studies on the Amazon—one on fishing communities, the other on the cattle industry—show how unequal … [Read more...] about When Market Power Meets the Rainforest
The Dilemmas of Boosting Water and Sewer Access
In recent years, several countries in Latin America have sought to enlist private investment to the task of expanding piped water and sewage systems. Millions of people in the region still lack access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation, and with governments short on money to provide the necessary infrastructure, private investment has been seen by policymakers as a … [Read more...] about The Dilemmas of Boosting Water and Sewer Access
Paying Digital: The Changing Landscape of Everyday Transactions
Just a few years ago, buying a coffee or paying for groceries in Latin America almost always meant reaching for cash. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has dramatically shifted: digital payments for in-person purchases have nearly tripled in market share, jumping from 11% in 2020 to 30% in 2024. This isn’t just a tech trend; it’s a transformation in how people live, work, … [Read more...] about Paying Digital: The Changing Landscape of Everyday Transactions
Designing Better Policies for Water Pricing
Water pricing policies are designed to encourage conservation while ensuring that utilities can recover their costs and consumers afford their bills. In many Latin American countries, including Brazil, utilities use increasing block rates (IBRs), a tariff structure where the price of each unit of water rises as consumption passes certain thresholds and enters into a new … [Read more...] about Designing Better Policies for Water Pricing