Spatial Pattern of the Development of Retail Activities in Miyagi Prefecture

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the changes of spacial patterns of retail activities in Miyagi prefecture during the period of high economic growth in Japan. The results are summarized as follows.The difference between the spacial distribution of retail activities and that of population is diminishing during the period, especially both in the case of food and beverage retail and in the case of other retail.The shares of each administrative area to Miyagi prefecture of retail sales in 1958 and that in 1976 are compared. The shares of a few areas (including Sendai city, whose share of population to Miyagi prefecture has increased) have decreased, but the shares of almost all areas have increased.Both the index of retail activity (I. A.) and the index of retail power (I. R.) given by the following formula, are used to consider the cause of the development of retail activities in each area.I. A.=(Ri/Rm)/(Pi/Pm)I. R.=Ri/Rm)-(Pi/Pm)whereRi=Retail sales of a given administrative areaRm=Retail sales of Miyagi prefecturePi=Population of a given administrative areaPm=Population of Miyagi prefectureBoth in Izumi and Tagajo cities located near Sendai city which is the biggest retail center in Miyagi prefecture, the development of retail activities is related to the growth of population. In other areas, the development of retail activities is related to the increase of retail establishments.