"Big-Box" Retailing

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Environmental Studies

"Big-Box" Retailing

Presents an argument against the growth of large retail stores, such as Walmart and Target, and examines their effect on the community.

16,300 words () | 15 sources | APA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the two sides of the 'big-box' controversy as to whether or not one should support the practice and formation of big-box retailing in terms of the effects that these outlets, which include large stores such as Target and Wal-Mart, have on local communities, as well as the effects that they have on suburban sprawl and the associated argument between downtown and suburban development. The position of this thesis is that big-box retailing does have adverse effects on local communities, which causes many of these communities to form a reaction against the retailers; consumers would be more likely to support a more aesthetically pleasing paradigm in which these retailers are held more accountable for expansion and sprawl.

Paper Outline
Introduction
Literature Review
Retail Trends
Super Stores
Power Centers
Effects of the Big Box
Economic
Environmental
Social
Cultural/Aesthetic
Parking
Relationship to Surrounding Community
Hypothesis
Research Design/Methodology
Findings and Recommendations
Case Study Research
Quantative
Qualitative
Policy Structure Examples
Case Study on 'Sprawlternatives'
Planning and Zoning Strategies
Design and Land-use Standards
Urban Growth Boundaries
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"For example, in some areas, states and communities have banded together to introduce legislation regarding big box retailers and their presence, often with extensive conditional modifiers when the establishments are allowed. Moratoriums on big box type architecture are also common. But there is a lot of difference in between different states and communities in terms of the costs and benefits of either prohibiting big box superstores or drawing them towards the area. For
example, some states have been very prohibitive towards superstores, power centers, and other categories of big box retail mentioned above. At the same time, however, other states have situations that are totally different, with tax incentives being offered to direct investors in a way that seems to break down a communication barrier in terms of community goal alignment, or install a barrier, depending on one's perspective."