Competition between formats and locations in German retailing

Abstract

The structure and locational system of retailing in Germany faced during the last decades a profound change. Important factors were on the supply side the appearance of new formats of retail stores, the enterprise concentration process and the progressive internationalisation. They not only changed the supply-structure but in addition induced a shift in the importance of retail locations. Very recently consumer behaviour undergoes alterations linked with post-fordist individualisation of shopping motivation and of spatial orientation towards different centres. These changes induced a shift towards attractive centres and sub-urban locations while scattered locations are under strong pressure.