Microenterprise Peso Acceptance in El Paso, Texas
Michael J. Pisani and Thomas M. Fullerton, Jr., 2013, “Microenterprise Peso Acceptance in El Paso, Texas,” Ensayos Revista de Economía 32(2), 75-94
25 Pages Posted: 8 Nov 2013
Date Written: January 15, 2013
Abstract
Utilizing a unique sample of 253 microenterprise border retailers from El Paso, Texas, this paper explores the possibility of cash payment from cross-border shoppers using Mexican pesos. We find that one-fifth of microenterprise retailers in El Paso accept payment in Mexican pesos. Increased peso acceptance rates are associated with retailer proximity to Mexico and business segment in which the retailers compete. El Paso microenterprises are also more likely than their medium-to-large business counterparts to allow payments to be made using Mexican pesos. The opportunity cost of currency substitution is examined for accepting and yet-to-accept firms.
Keywords: Microenterprises, Currency Substitution, Reverse Dollarization, Cross-Border Shopping, El Paso
JEL Classification: M21, F31, D22
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation