Retailing

Vendors and large scale markets catered more for retailing. The variety in items could be seen at the side of the road and bargains as well as friendships were easily made while "shopping". In the markets there was competition amongst vendors on the price of their retailed goods and who had better deals to attract more customers.

High Street San Fernando: 09/04/2013

As times change and demand increases air conditioned malls are now built for easy access to all  items together with comfort. This is changing ht urban landscape as taller and more elaborate building are being built.

The Theory

Historically urban retail organisations has been recognised as "unplanned" shopping areas at neighborhood shopping areas and the core of settlements. Recently research is being done on how the structure of urban retailing has used structural perspectives that looks at connecting social organisation of retailing and changing corporate with a spatial expression termed " the new geography of retailing" (Wrigley and Lowe 2002).

Changes in urban retail

Changing consumer attitudes and expectations. This is where there is preference for more convenience and comfort where shopping. Also there is more female employment and increased car ownership which has changed the shopping experience. For supply, increase in the market share of large multiple retailers and distributors which is a disadvantage to independent shops (Wrigley and Lowe 2002).

Increased technology has changed the shopping experience. Now the internet can be used for e-shopping and so traditional city centre shopping as declined (Weltevreden and Van Rietbergen 2007). There is also the growth of planned out-of-town suburban shopping areas and retail parks that have contributed to a decline in downtown shopping opportunities (Wrigley and Lowe 2002).

The Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4HTpduDiDQ

The References

Weltevreden J.W.J. and Van Rietbergen T. (2007). E-shopping versus city centre shopping : the role of perceived city center attractiveness. 98: 68-85.

Wrigley N. and Lowe M. (2002). Reading retail: A geographical perspective on retailing and consumption spaces. London: Arnold.