Retail Trade, Geography of

Retail trade establishments and Spatial changes

Retailing represents sales of new and used goods in small quantities to the general public for personal or household consumption, as it is located in retail outlets without including the informal retail sector. There are three main components in store-based retailing: sales, outlets, and selling space. Retail sales represent the value added in the distribution of goods and services to consumers, excluding value-added or sales tax. Retail outlets are business units that are used principally for retail trade; therefore, each store within a shopping mall is counted separately. Retail selling space refers to floor space within a retail store used for trading; it is also known as sales floor area, trade area, trading area, sales area, and retail square footage.

Among retailers, grocers are the geographically dominant retailers, selling foods, beverages, tobacco, and other everyday household items at supercenters, supermarkets, discounters, and small grocery retailers. Supercenters are retail outlets selling groceries and nonfood merchandise with a minimum retail sales area of 26,910 ft.2 (square feet). They are usually located in suburban malls or shopping centers as the anchor store that is easily accessible by automobile. Exemplary brands include Walmart, Target, Kmart, and so on. Supermarkets sell groceries with a selling space of between 4,306 and 26,910 ft.2, selling at least 70% groceries. Supermarkets grew quickly across the United States with the growth of suburban development after World War II. Most North American supermarkets are located in suburban strip malls as a “draw tenant” along with other small retailers. They are generally regional rather than national in their company branding. Representative names include Kroger, Safeway, and so on. Kroger is one of the most nationally oriented supermarket chains in the United States.

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