The Huff model in retrospect

Abstract

The probabilistic model of consumer spatial behavior formulated by Huff in 1962 continues to be used extensively by academicians and professional analysts in a variety of different applications. Consumer patronage, transportation demand, and economic impact are a few examples of such applications. The widespread use of the model has resulted in a number of misuses due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge on key issues. This article highlights key operational problems such as parameter estimation, choice set determination, variable selection and interpretation, and so on. The theoretical underpinning of the model is shown to be rooted in Central Place Theory. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.