A STUDY ON ACTUAL CONDITIONS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS OF THE DISTANT SHOPPING IN RURAL AREAS

– As an example Ishikari city and Kimobetsu town with Sapporo city as the core city –

Abstract

This study aims to determine the possible correlation between features of distant shopping and the impressions of distant shopping. The study used questionnaire surveys in three urban locations: one core city (the Chuo district in Sapporo city); and two satellite cities (Ishikari city and Kimobetsu town). The main conclusions of the study are as follows: (1) more than 80% of respondents in the three areas go shopping in Sapporo city at the weekend. (2) The significant features of distant shopping included: go shopping with other people, eat out, do other activities besides shopping, and long duration. These features were especially significant for respondents from Kimobetsu town. (3) Positive impressions of distant shopping on weekends are greater than on weekdays. (4) There is a correlation between features of distant shopping and positive impressions. (5) Younger people’s positive impressions are correlated with shopping with their families.