The Transformation of Shopping Mall Space in Canada: An Analysis of Selected Leasing Site Plans Between 1996 and 2006
Abstract
The Canadian retail landscape has been transformed over the last decade with the growth of large format (big box) retailers. This paper examines the strategies being employed by owners and managers of enclosed shopping malls in response to the widespread development and growing popularity of big box retail. Preliminary findings from a large-scale longitudinal study of Canadian shopping malls over the period 1996 to 2006 are presented. The research tracks the changes that have occurred in terms of the tenant mix and size of retail units within a selected set of malls across Canada. Essentially, the paper provides data on the nature and extent of big box retail integration within the enclosed mall environment. The findings detail the functional reconfiguration that has taken place, and the increased presence (and accommodation) of large format retailers within and surrounding enclosed malls. The paper concludes by summarizing the key points and identifies a number of key areas for future research.References
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