Decentralization of Retailing in Britain: The Breaking of the Third Wave

A much anticipated explosion in regional shopping center retailing in Britain has failed to emerge. This paper suggests that the threat to existing property investments was a key reason why funds for development were slow to materialize. By the time the movement gathered pace, the British government became worried by the scale of proposals. Since the consumer boom that followed the expansionary budget of 1988 was short lived, it follows that many potential investors were relieved that they did not become involved with schemes that might have had little economic viability. Therefore, the rather restricted geography of retailing in Britain has been left largely unchanged.

Key Words:

• retailing
• regional shopping centers
• Britain
• decentralization