Retail transformations and consumer preferences in Paarl and Stellenbosch: CBD versus decentralised mall

Date
2016-11-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Shopping malls represent high shopping convenience that contains much choice, and great access and entertainment. However, from an urban geographical standpoint, shopping malls represent decentralisation, car dependency and low access by disadvantaged consumers, who live remotely, without a car, in poor neighbourhoods. Shopping malls started to compete with retain in the central business district (CBD) in several countries throughout the world, and it would seem that the CBD is losing the retail battle. Furthermore there also are social consequences, such as low access by disadvantaged consumers, and whereas this topic is discussed in the global north, there are few South African examples of CBD retail and its consumers. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to examine the retail transformations and the consumer preferences in two medium-sized South African cities, namely Paarl and Stellenbosch, which are located in the Western Cape. Through convenience sampling on the basis of 346 surveys, in-depth interviews with key informants, retail street observations and a Google street view analysis, this research provides an overview of the retail transformations experienced in the CBD and two selected shopping malls in Paarl and Stellenbosch, in combination with the experiences and preferences of disadvantaged and advantaged consumers. The empirical findings confirmed the negative impact on retail in the CBD in Paarl after the building of a new, decentralised shopping mall along with stronger, segregated retail use. On the other hand, the empirical findings in the CBD of Stellenbosch showed a strong sign of retail resilience, alongside a decline in retail in a decentralised shopping mall. The chances of retail resilience and a more resilient CBD, such as in Stellenbosch, were explained by the literature, in the context of diverse cultural, retail and economic facilities, along with the provision of education and public areas and buildings. Furthermore, limited access to retail facilities by disadvantaged consumers in Stellenbosch was not found, probably due to the presence of a very accessible city mall for disadvantaged consumers in the Stellenbosch CBD.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Winkelsentrums verteenwoordig hoë inkopiegerief wat groot keuse, toegang en vermaak bevat. Vanuit ’n stedelik geografiese oogpunt verteenwoordig winkelsentrums egter desentralisasie, ’n afhanklikheid van voertuie en lae toegang deur benadeelde verbruikers wat op ’n afstand, en sonder ’n motor, in arm woonbuurte woon. Winkelsentrums oor die hele wêreld het begin om met waarin dit blyk dat die middestad se kleinhandel verloor die kleinhandel stryd om te kompeteer met die kleinhandel die middestad in verskeie lande. Verder is daar waarskynlik sosiale gevolge soos 'n lae toegang van benadeelde verbruikers en terwyl hierdie onderwerp word in die globale Noorde is Suid-Afrikaanse voorbeelde op kleinhandel middestad en sy verbruikers moeilik om te vind. Daarom, hierdie tesis doel is om die kleinhandel transformasies en verbruiker voorkeurs van gedesentraliseerde winkelsentrums in twee Suid-Afrikaanse mediumgrootte stede van die Paarl en Stellenbosch, geleë in die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek. Deur gerieflikheidsmonsterneming (convenience sampling) in die Paarl en Stellenbosch van n 346 opnames, in - diepte onderhoude van sleutel - informante, kleinhandel straat waarnemings en 'n Google street view -analise, hierdie navorsing bied 'n oorsig van die ervare kleinhandel transformasies van die middestad en twee gekies winkelsentrums in Paarl en Stellenbosch in kombinasie van die ervarings en voorkeurs van die benadeelde en bevoordeelde verbruikers. Die empiriese bevindinge bevestig die negatiewe impak op die kleinhandel die middestad in Paarl sedert die bou van 'n nuwe gedesentraliseerde winkelsentrum langs 'n sterker geskei kleinhandel gebruik. Aan die ander kant, die empiriese bevindinge toon 'n sterk teken van kleinhandel veerkragtigheid in die middestad van Stellenbosch langs 'n kleinhandel daling in 'n gedesentraliseerde winkelsentrum. Die kans kleinhandel veerkragtigheid en 'n meer bestand middestad soos in Stellenbosch was verklaar deur die literatuur waarin die konteks van die stad met die huidige diverse kultuur, kleinhandel, ekonomiese fasiliteite met die aanbod van onderwys en openbare areas en geboue. Verder is beperkte toegang van kleinhandel fasiliteite vir die benadeelde verbruikers in Stellenbosch nie waarskynlik gevind as gevolg van die huidige van 'n goeie toeganklike city mall vir die benadeelde verbruikers in die middestad van Stellenbosch.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.
Keywords
Retail transformations, CBD retail, Disadvantaged consumers, Retail buying-patterns, Shopping centres, Market area, Central Business District retail, Low-income consumers, UCTD
Citation