A Model of Direct and Intermediated Sales
Terrence Hendershott and
Jie Zhang
Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, 2006, vol. 15, issue 2, 279-316
Abstract:
We examine a model in which an upstream firm can sell directly online and through heterogeneous intermediaries to heterogeneous consumers engaging in time‐consuming search. Direct online sales may be more or less convenient and involve costly returns if the good fits consumers poorly. Direct selling appeals to higher‐value consumers and increases the upstream firm's profits by allowing price discrimination. Competition and segmentation due to direct sales results in lower intermediary prices, making all consumers better off. Thus, entry by an upstream firm increases consumer surplus at the expense of intermediaries with the net result being an increase in social welfare.
Date: 2006
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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-9134.2006.00101.x
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:jemstr:v:15:y:2006:i:2:p:279-316
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