Two competing coffee shops, 'Bean Haven' and 'The Daily Grind', are located across the street from each other. They must independently decide whether to set a 'High Price' or a 'Low Price' for their standard coffee. The daily profits for each shop based on their decisions are shown below:

• If both set a High Price, each earns $200.
• If both set a Low Price, each earns $120.
• If one sets a High Price and the other sets a Low Price, the Low Price shop earns $250 and the High Price shop earns $50.

Assuming both shops are currently setting a High Price, which of the following describes the most likely long-run outcome, and why?

Stability of Market Outcomes

Strategic Advertising and Market Stability

Consider a market with two competing firms. Initially, both firms are in a situation where either one could increase its own profit by unilaterally changing its business strategy (e.g., changing its price). This initial situation is not stable. Arrange the following steps in the logical sequence that describes how this market will likely evolve to a stable, long-run outcome.

The Logic of Stable Economic Outcomes