Abstract
The law of retail gravitation (LRG) and the economic law of market areas (LMA) both seek to define the market-area boundary between two competing centres. Each law is reviewed and then characterised in terms of the principal dimensions of the market-area boundary. It is shown that under certain conditions the two laws correspond exactly, so that the LMA is able to lend some economic support for the LRG. If, however, approximate correspondence between the laws is permitted, this support is considerably greater. The two laws are also viewed within the broader framework of an hierarchically structured urban system. Exact correspondence between the laws is again possible under particular circumstances, but the descriptive capacity of the LMA is greatly increased when approximation is allowed. Finally, consideration is given to the possibility of modifying the LMA in order to take account of the effects of nonprice competition.
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