Longitudinal study on consumer spatial shopping behaviour with special reference to out-of-town shopping: Experiences from Turku, Finland

Abstract

Out-of-town shopping centres are seen as a threat both to city centre retailing and to small local shops. The gradual development of an edge-of-town retail park made it possible to carry out a longitudinal study of changes in consumers' shopping behaviour in a situation characterized by a considerable growth in the supply side. The study attempts to analyse the usage of different shopping areas and the changes in choice frequencies of different types of store location (city-centre shopping mall, edge-of-town retail park and local stores). The results show that the consumers changed their shopping habits less than expected.