A model of directed consumer search

Marco Haan, Jose Moraga-Gonzalez and Vaiva Petrikaite

International Journal of Industrial Organization, 2018, vol. 61, issue C, 223-255

Abstract: We present a framework to study directed consumer search. Firms sell products with two attributes. One is readily observable, the other is observed only after visiting a firm. Search is directed as the order of search is influenced by the observable characteristics. Moreover, if prices are readily observable, firms also influence search direction by their choice of price. We show that when consumers observe prices before search, prices and profits are lower than when they do not. A lower price then not only retains more consumers, but is also more likely to attract them; the latter effect makes demand more elastic. When consumers observe prices before searching, prices decrease in search costs. Consumer surplus initially increases in search costs, but may ultimately decrease.

Keywords: Directed consumer search (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D83 L13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Related works:
Working Paper: A Model of Directed Consumer Search (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:indorg:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:223-255

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2018.09.001

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