Bottom line Deadweight loss is a loss of economic efficiency for society at large. It's a disadvantage to producers, consumers and the government. However, deadweight loss isn't black and white ...

3. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend $680 billion this year during the 2017 holiday season. If the deadweight loss estimates of Professor Waldfogel are accurate ...

If the deadweight loss estimates of Professor Waldfogel are accurate, that would mean that between $85 billion and $283 billion of the spending on gifts this holiday season will be wasted. 4.