Scottish Government

CITY REGION BOUNDARIES STUDY

CHAPTER SIX RETAIL CATCHMENTS

6.1 As noted in Chapter 2, many Councils have undertaken their own retail studies. Most of these have looked at both retail catchments and expenditure. However, in each of these local studies the data classes and spatial detail in the analysis have been different, so it is necessary to undertake fresh analysis to ensure a consistent approach across the country.

6.2 It is beyond the scope of this study to undertake as full an analysis of retail catchments for the four cities as has been possible in the local studies. Nevertheless readily available data can be used to estimate the most important cross boundary linkages as described in Appendix D. This looks at retail hierarchies, shopping trips from the SHS and retail accessibility.

6.3 The analysis of retail hierarchies identifies the many locations within and outwith the cities which are centres for retail activity. This emphasises that cross boundary planning of retail issues is important for all Councils not just the four largest cities.

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ANALYSIS

6.4 Shopping trips from the SHS have been plotted in Appendix D. These maps allow approximate retail catchments to be identified as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 9 - Aberdeen Shopping Catchment

Figure 10 - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee Shopping Catchments

6.5 Table 5 summarises the Council areas according to the proportion of shopping trips to cities.

Table 5 - Retail Catchments based on Observed Trips

6.6 By including all shopping trips, this analysis significantly underestimates the importance of the cities. Most local shopping trips are for food shopping and the longer distance trips are for durable goods. There is no national survey data readily available to allow actual trip numbers for comparison shopping to be used, but the opportunities provided by each city for comparison shopping can be plotted for each Council area as retail accessibility measures.

ACCESSIBILITY ANALYSIS

6.7 Based on the analysis of retail accessibility in Appendix D, the retail catchments for comparison shopping for the four cities can be defined by Council area as shown in Table 6. Retail activity in each Council area has been based on the turnover for comparison goods.

6.8 Since the accessibility calculations are based on retail activity they tend to emphasise the importance of scale. Smaller towns offer a different range of goods, so turnover does not necessarily represent an ability to meet people's needs. The influence of the cities may also be different for different population sectors with, for example, rural dwellers are prepared to travel much further for shopping than their urban counterparts.

6.9 The shopping opportunities available to people, measured in terms of retail accessibility by car, are therefore a poor proxy for observed travel patterns. However the over emphasis of the importance of large cities such as Glasgow, in providing a high level of retail opportunity, will balance the under emphasis on the cities from the SHS travel diary data.

Table 6 - Retail Catchments based on Accessibility to Comparison Shopping