Specialization in Retailing

Retail activity is usually divided into two categories: the provision of convenience goods, such as food, drugs and gasoline, that are purchased on a daily or weekly basis — usually from the nearest outlet — and the provision of shopping goods, such as clothes, furniture or new cars. Customers buy shopping goods less often and prefer places where they can compare a variety of products at the same time, as in larger cities or shopping centres. The level of retail activity is very closely linked to the size of the market, and retail specialization measures the extent of a city's market area (also called trade area) outside the city boundaries.

[D]
Click for more information, 26 KB
Photograph of a convenience store, Ottawa, Ontario

Geographical Description

This map is composed of three thematic map layers that show retail specialization in terms of overall retail activity (initial map view), retail convenience and retail shopping. The size of the circles is proportional to the population of the cities and the degree of specialization is shown by the colour in the legend. Specialization in retailing is evident throughout western Canada and wherever cities serve extensive market areas (for example, Calgary and Edmonton). There is a corresponding lack of facilities in Ontario and Quebec, especially in and around the largest cities. Retail convenience specialization shows a similar pattern. Retail shopping goods provide products that consumers buy less frequently, the kind of goods that may require some research and comparison among several stores (for example, fashion or furniture). People will travel farther in order to have a greater choice, as illustrated in central and eastern Canada, where a series of urban centres acts as regional centres (for example, North Bay, London, Barrie and Belleville, Ontario). Very large cities are so attractive to shoppers that nearby places may appear to be deficient in these activities. Rural and urban differences in retail shopping activity are very strong, as are the differences between the smaller urban centres and their nearby, larger, consolidated metropolitan regions (for example, Toronto and Montréal). Some of these urban centres have large shopping centres (for example, Joliette, Quebec); others are largely residential (for example, Orangeville, Ontario).

To properly interpret this map, please consult the text Data and Mapping Notes.

• Specialization in Wholesaling Map | Read about this map
• Specialization in Financial Services Map | Read about this map
• Specialization in Business Services Map | Read about this map
• Specialization in Leisure Services Map | Read about this map
• Specialization in Personal Services Map | Read about this map

• Economy
• The Service Industries
• Specialization in Commercial Services
• References and Links