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Multi-Purpose Consumption and Functional Differntiation: Why has the Vibrant Galleria replaced the Good Old Fashioned Department Store?


Type

Working Paper

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Authors

Sallstrom Matthews, Susanna 

Abstract

A very striking change in product selection over the last century has been the increased degree of specialisation of durable goods. To analyse these changes this paper introduces a new form of product differentiation called functional. It is shown that when a homogeneous population demands multiple locations (rather than consumers being heterogeneous) several standard results are reversed. A monopoly has an incentive to offer excessively specialised goods and delay innovation. It is in a duopoly that product characteristics will be efficient. Entry of a third firm will be more profitable in the fringes. Furthermore entry results in too much variety. Finally, the paper presents a novel argument in favour of bundling.

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Keywords

entry, innovation, optimium diversity, functional differentiation, bundling

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Publisher

Faculty of Economics

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