Spatial convenience: bridging the gap between shopping malls and shopping strips

Abstract

Purpose: Due to rising obesity levels, declining fitness levels, an aging population, and shopper lethargy, retail planners must give serious consideration to the physical demands retail centres place on their patrons. The aim of this study is to determine the importance consumers assign to intra-centre spatial convenience, measure how consumers perceive shopping malls and shopping strips (also referred to as the downtown area, central business district, Main Street or the High Street) in relation to it, and compare them in their provision of it. Methodology: The study utilises a household survey of consumers and a retail audit to address these research objectives. The survey was used to identify the importance consumers assign to intra-centre spatial convenience, while the retail audit was used to establish how malls and strips compare in their provision of it. Findings: The results of the survey indicate that consumers regard intra-centre spatial convenience as important and believe that malls are superior in providing it. The retail audit confirmed the accuracy of these perceptions, with the mall providing greater store compatibility, and a more compact shopping environment. Originality / value: The influence of intra-centre spatial convenience on shopping behaviour has been largely overlooked. Moreover, those studies that have focused on this topic have typically done so from the singular focus of either malls or strips. This study incorporates both, and does so via an empirical analysis of consumer attitudes and a spatial comparison of both retail formats.

The Attractiveness of a City-Centre Shopping Environment: Older Consumers’ Perspective

“…Similar to previous findings (e.g., De Nisco & Warnaby, 2013;Reimers & Clulow, 2014), the environmental aesthetics were considered important, particularly among recreational focus-group participants who were attracted by the authentic city architecture and appealing details. Given that older consumers preferred bricks-and-mortar shopping to "screen shopping", wellmaintained and harmonious facades with illuminated advertising and well-designed window displays were considered pleasant.…”

“…The attractiveness of the buildings and store window displays (including architecture, style, colours, and decors) affect the consumers' willingness to stay and patronise (Bell, 1999;De Nisco & Warnaby, 2013). A visually appealing environment is particularly attractive to recreational shoppers who like to spend time in the shopping area (Reimers & Clulow, 2014). A functional urban layout (space arrangement) and convenience of moving around, parking, and use of public transportation have also appeared to influence patronage intentions and the willingness to linger (e.g., De Nisco & Warnaby, 2013;Wrigley & Lambiri, 2015).…”

The role of formal and informal surveillance in creating a safe and entertaining retail environment

“…Instead, the shopping mall as a retail form has become hugely popular throughout the world (Gilboa and Vilnai-Yavetz, 2013; Ng, 2003). Moreover, among different kinds of retail outlets, the shopping mall has become the consumers’ preferred shopping destination in many countries (Reimers and Clulow, 2014). Even though being still successful, there is evidence of declining mall patronage (Lloyd et al , 2014).…”

Toward Defining Policy Framework for Large-Scale Retail Impact Addressing in Serbia

“…The research of the relationship between shopping centers and shopping streets of Ozuduru et al on the case on city of Ankara reveals that: shopping centers are used by consumers from all districts, in particular, from suburban districts, and shopping streets are mainly used by consumers living in inner city districts; the consumer profiles of shopping centers and shopping streets are distinctive in terms of age, occupation and education; shopping centers are usually preferred by car owners, which encourages development of new shopping centers at the urban fringe; shopping centers and shopping streets are preferred for similar purposes, and shopping streets, in particular, are preferred for entertainment [29]. The results of the survey of Reimers and Clulow show that consumers regard spatial convenience as important and believe that malls are superior in providing it in relation to shopping strip [32].…”