January 19, 2015
Organization of Retail
Structure of Retail
Goal – to understand
different components of the retail economy
ownership, format, and function
spatial context
activities of retailers & consumers
evolution of the retail economy, changes and reasons for change
Independent Stores
Definition
privately owned, usually individual, family
one/two stores – not part of a larger organization
no corporate structure
part of the “local economy”
supporting local individuals
attractive component - the idea of independence
personal experience/relationship with store owners
Function – varied
store type, production mix, market focus, level of specialization, location
what exactly is the store type? what is the product theyre selling? how are they connected to their
local market?
trying to do a lot of things within a small area
high levels – urban areas
home hardware – connected to their neighbourhood
Geography
urban areas – retail strips, integrated into neighbourhoods, ethnic areas
o diversified landscape
o retail strips
key – something that isn’t organized, only own portions of it, no central planning
o ethnic areas
function: depending on ethnic area are a big part of it
suburban – older retail areas (e.g. port credit), strip malls, ethnic areas
o homogeneous in terms of population and landscape
o older retail areas
become incorporated into bigger areas
reflects past retail economy
Market Focus
related to store type & product mix
typically local consumers
o degree of specialization
furniture or clothing stores – draw a consumer base over a very large area
focus on urban economy – smaller items of furniture
Organization of Retail
Structure of Retail
Goal – to understand
different components of the retail economy
ownership, format, and function
spatial context
activities of retailers & consumers
evolution of the retail economy, changes and reasons for change
Independent Stores
Definition
privately owned, usually individual, family
one/two stores – not part of a larger organization
no corporate structure
part of the “local economy”
supporting local individuals
attractive component - the idea of independence
personal experience/relationship with store owners
Function – varied
store type, production mix, market focus, level of specialization, location
what exactly is the store type? what is the product theyre selling? how are they connected to their
local market?
trying to do a lot of things within a small area
high levels – urban areas
home hardware – connected to their neighbourhood
Geography
urban areas – retail strips, integrated into neighbourhoods, ethnic areas
o diversified landscape
o retail strips
key – something that isn’t organized, only own portions of it, no central planning
o ethnic areas
function: depending on ethnic area are a big part of it
suburban – older retail areas (e.g. port credit), strip malls, ethnic areas
o homogeneous in terms of population and landscape
o older retail areas
become incorporated into bigger areas
reflects past retail economy
Market Focus
related to store type & product mix
typically local consumers
o degree of specialization
furniture or clothing stores – draw a consumer base over a very large area
focus on urban economy – smaller items of furniture
