Monday, January 12, 2009

Possible Definition of "Big Box"?

I saw this on a web site and thought it was too good to pass up. Not sure I agree with everything in it, but hey, that's retail. (my favorite part is "acres of parking" and "category killers"):

What characterizes "big box" retail?
1. Typically occupy more than 50,000 square feet, with typical ranges
between 90,000-200,000 sq. ft.
2. Derive their profits from high sales volumes rather than price mark
up
3. Large windowless, rectangular single-story buildings
4. Standardized facades
5. Reliance on auto-borne shoppers
6. Acres of parking
7. No-frills site development that eschews any community or pedestrian
amenities.
8. Seem to be everywhere and unique to no place, be it a rural town or
urban neighborhood
9. Varying market niches; categories include discount department
stores, category killers and warehouse clubs. IKEA seems to be a combination of
the first two classifications.
10. Profound planning impacts on the character of a community.


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