PARSIMONIOUS MULTIVARIATE CLASSIFICATIONS OF URBAN RETAILING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Multivariate classifications of intra-urban retailing centers have been based almost exclusively on functional variables. This paper advocates, by using a case study, the application of standard multivariate techniques to non-functional and mixed-variable data sets, a procedure that has implications for parsimonious field inventories at a time of accelerated commercial change.

Key Words:

• urban retailing
• marketing
• retail classification
• multivariate analysis

Notes

∗The authors would like to thank John Thornes, Liz Higgins and the referees, Daniel Griffith and Peter Muller, for their comments on an earlier version of this paper.