A model of shopping centers

In this paper, we propose a model of developers' strategies for tenant mixes and the locations of shopping centers (SCs). Consumers have preferences for product variety, and tenants in the SCs sell differentiated goods. The consumers can choose two shopping behaviors: patronizing one or both of the two SCs. We show that if the consumers have strong preferences for product variety, the SCs agglomerate to free-ride on the rivals' product varieties, and the consumers patronize both SCs. On the other hand, if consumer preferences are weak, the SCs locate at different locations, and the consumers patronize one of the two SCs.