Factors that led to the development of out-of-town retailing - Retailing – WJEC - GCSE Geography Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize (2024)

Economic factors

Retailing in city centres was very expensive due to the expensive land rents, but land on the outskirts could be bought for less. In addition, many Central Business District (CBD) stores were old and in need of modernisation, this too would have been very expensive.

Cultural factors

Many shoppers were once quite faithful to their local store. Today, many people like to compare the types of goods and look for a competitive deal or one-off exclusive item. Large out-of-town shopping centres allow consumers to:

  • visit several shops under one roof
  • have protection from the wind and rain
  • park, more often than not, for free which is a bonus for the UK consumer who enjoys the flexibility a car brings

Technological factors

Improvements in road networks, including motorways, in and around our urban areas allow consumers to drive quickly, and often with less congestion, to out-of-town shopping areas compared with CBDs.

Costs of out-of-town shopping

Due to the success of out-of-town shopping, there has been decentralisation of retailing, whereby major retailers have moved their premises from central locations in the CBD to the edge of the city. This causes the doughnut (north America) or polo effect (UK) where there is an economic, social and retailing hole in the middle of the city.

Almost 15,000 shops in town centers in the UK closed between 2000 and 2009, with a further 10,000 losses in the past couple of years. Many household names such as Woolworths and Comet have closed completely, and HMV had had to be bought out.

Factors that led to the development of out-of-town retailing - Retailing – WJEC - GCSE Geography Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize (1)The number of vacant shops in the town centre or CBD is almost double that in out-of-town retail parks

Environmental effect of out-of-town shopping

In addition, many large retail parks have also increased traffic and congestion on the roads. This increases pollution from exhaust emissions which contributes to the greenhouse effect. Some retail parks on the edge of town have been developed on greenfield sites. This is damaging to the environment and reduces the available open green spaces between one urban area and another.

Out-of-town shopping benefits for customers and retailers

  • Shoppers are often able to park for free and do not have to travel into busy congested city centre locations. In addition all stores are under one roof - often covered from the weather. There may also be crèches and play areas for children which can make the shopping experience more enjoyable.
  • Retailers benefit from these locations because they have larger contemporary shop units which allow a greater range of goods to be on show for sale. There is also good access for delivery vehicles.

24-hour shopping

Nine to five is still a popular way to shop on the high street. However people now expect to be able to shop 24/7, either online from the comfort of their own home or by visiting a large store which is open 24-hours a day.

Factors that led to the development of out-of-town retailing - Retailing – WJEC  - GCSE Geography Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

Why is modern retailing attracted to out of town locations? ›

Out-of-town shopping benefits for customers and retailers

Retailers benefit from these locations because they have larger contemporary shop units which allow a greater range of goods to be on show for sale. There is also good access for delivery vehicles.

How and why is retailing changing in the UK? ›

The retail sector has changed radically in recent years. Factors driving these changes include internet retailing, store closures and other changes on the high street, and an increasing consumer preference for large multi-purpose malls.

How and why is retailing changing? ›

The fundamental role and purpose of retail stores are changing. Digital transformation forced brick-and-mortar outlets to evolve as more of the path to purchase shifted online. Now, as e-commerce expands, retailers are reimagining the functionality of stores and tapping into digital tools to keep those stores relevant.

What does retail mean in geography? ›

Retail geography, or geography of retailing, is the study of where to place retail stores based on where their customers are. The use of retail geography has grown significantly in the past decade as a result of the use of geographic information systems (GIS).

Why are people attracted to out of town shopping? ›

Out of town malls offer a better shopping experience. It is easier for shoppers to visit an out of town retail development than an urban or town centre shopping area. Typically, out of town malls offer access roads which are not crowded and plenty of “free” car parking.

What are the factors affecting the retail location? ›

Factors To Consider When Selecting Retail Store Locations
  • Your Business Plan. ...
  • The Local Market. ...
  • Customer Demographics. ...
  • Accessibility and Traffic. ...
  • Zoning. ...
  • Retail Size and Space. ...
  • The Type of Merchandise Sold. ...
  • Convenience.

How has Brexit affected UK retail industry? ›

Brexit is found significantly impacting consumers and retailers operating in the UK and the EU in a myriad of ways, including trade tariffs, the movement of goods, changes in the labor market, and general repercussions relating to consumer attitudes and buying behavior across the region.

Why are so many retailers going out of business? ›

An Insider tally of announcements by major retailers in 2023 finds as many as 2,373 stores set to close across the US. The rationales are varied: Some companies are navigating bankruptcy proceedings, while others say they are aiming to cut costs. Several are adjusting store formats to meet changing shopping trends.

How did Brexit affect retail? ›

For European consumers, Brexit has predominantly led to changes in VAT, prices and ease of buying and having delivered UK fashion goods. From the onset of the UK's departure from the EU, European customers of UK goods pay their own local VAT, which can be advantageous.

What is the reason for the rise of retailers? ›

Reasons for rapid growth in Retail : a) Rising incomes and purchasing power : The average household income is increasing and leads to more purchasing power and ultimately consumption. The GDP is growing (and will continue) at a conservative rate 0f 6-7%. Rising affluence is the biggest driver of increasing consumption.

What are the reasons for growth of retail? ›

Some of the factors responsible for the growth of organised retailing are as under:
  • Growth of middle class consumers: ADVERTIsem*nTS: ...
  • Increase in the number of working women: ...
  • Value for money: ...
  • Emerging rural market: ...
  • Entry of corporate sector: ...
  • Entry of foreign retailers: ...
  • Technological impact: ...
  • Rise in income:

What are the three or four major ways retailing shopping will change in the future? ›

Here are four visions of the future of retail:
  • Retailers embracing the experience economy.
  • The rise of ecosystem platforms.
  • Digital goods and a Web3 paradigm shift.
  • Newly designed retail stores.
Aug 23, 2022

What are the three 3 different types of retail? ›

Types of Retailers
  • Department stores: These are large stores that sell a wide variety of merchandise. ...
  • Supermarkets: These are stores that sell a wide variety of food and household items. ...
  • Specialty stores: These are stores that sell a specific type of product or cater to a specific customer demographic.
Dec 7, 2022

What is retailing briefly describe with examples the most important store types? ›

A retail business is the sale of items and services in small quantities to customers in-store or online. Grocery, clothing, and drug stores are examples of retail.

What is a retail store and give 3 examples? ›

Retail is the process of selling goods directly to the consumer, usually in a shop or online. Examples of retailers include supermarkets, department stores, specialty stores, convenience stores, and online stores.

Why is retail store location important? ›

The location of any retail store is of the upmost importance as it requires long-term capital investment. A good location is key so that it attracts as many customers as possible. A well-located store makes supply and distribution a lot easier.

What is the significance of retail store location? ›

Having a good location is one of c primary element in attracting prospects and customers. At times a good location can also lead to an excellent competitive advantage because in retail marketing mix location is one of the crucial parameters and unique which cannot be copied by competitors in any way.

Is location still important to a retail store's success? ›

Businesses that are located in areas with a large population of their target audience are more likely to attract customers. For example, a store that sells luxury goods may do better in an affluent neighborhood. 3. Competition: The location of a retail business can also impact its competition.

Why do people shop at different stores? ›

Product Selection: Meeting Consumer Preferences

While price will always be important to most shoppers, it obviously isn't the only important factor. Just as higher-priced products lead to more stores shopped, consumers who find product selection to be an important factor tend to shop more stores.

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