The paper provides a general framework for the analysis of noncooperative competition between multi-branch networks when consumers have heterogeneous preferences. This framework allows for ill-studied conditions, such as branch loyalty and economies of scope, to be explored in terms of their...

In the third essay I show that the existence of homogeneous products in a market depends on choices made by firms. If search costs are small or the proportion of consumers who search costlessly (shoppers) is large, firms have incentives to differentiate themselves vertically. On the other hand,...