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- Title
Search Costs in Identity-Preserved Agricultural Markets.
- Authors
Reimer, Jeffrey J.
- Abstract
Many industries have "match-maker" institutions that help agents make links to one another by reducing search costs. Such institutions are now emerging in niche farm and food markets. In this study I provide an explanation for such institutions with a theoretical model of a niche market channel involving a small producer, retailer, and variety-loving consumer. I focus on the process by which producers are connected to retailers, and show that search costs between producers and retailers can be an important fixed cost of entry. Reduced search costs result in a larger number of matches, and facilitate the growth of niche market channels selling on the basis of producer identity. I examine the role of consumer preferences, retailer bargaining power, and other key features of these markets.
- Subjects
MARKETING cooperatives; MONOPOLISTIC competition; MARKET segmentation; PRODUCT differentiation; CONSUMER preferences; FOOD industry
- Publication
Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, 2008, Vol 6, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1542-0485
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2202/1542-0485.1230