Choice Review

Most consumer-choice theory in economics ignores choices made in time and space. This book is a rare exception. Bacon studies the determinates, (one of which is the frequency of shopping trips) of the location choice of consumers when they purchase goods. Bacon assumes that there are two types of frequency costs: the costs of holding large inventories of goods and the actual time and transport costs of shopping. From the interplay of these costs arises an optimal frequency. Using this concept and analytical tools from location theory and market area analysis, the location choice can be determined. This work provides a long-lacking demand side to location theory. Bacon is an authority in this research area. The work is a research monograph and undergraduates would find it rather dry. Likely users would be graduate students and other researchers in regional science, spatial geography, or urban economics. Bacon's work requires knowledge of discrete optimization and linear programming techniques. A good acquisition for university libraries.-H.J. Hiles, Wesleyan University