Abstract
In recent years, large-scale retail stores have increased in the number very markedly in Japan. Especially so was the Tokyo Metropolitan Region with its very rapidly increasing population. This paper analyzes the difference in the distribution patterns of large-scale retail stores by scales and management types in the Tokyo Metropolitan Region. Analysis has been made for the years 1975-1981, during which period a peak of large-scale retail store openings was seen between 1976 and 1980.
Results of this research are summarized as follows:
1. Increase rate of Type II large-scale retail store (selling space with 500m2 or more but less than 1, 500m2) was higher than that of Type I (selling space with 1, 500m2 or more). In management type, super stores and specialty stores showed higher rate of increase than department stores and credit stores.
2. There was a strong connenction between urbanization (population growth) and the increase of large-scale retail stores in the Tokyo Metropolitan Region.
3. Distribution patterns were as follows:
1) Distribution pattern of Type II was more dispersed than Type I.
2) In management type, department stores and cooperative department stores indicated concentrative patterns, whereas super stores and specialty stores showed a dispersed one.
4. Location of large-scale retail stores became more suburbanized between 1975 and 1981. The suburbanization was more conspicuous for Type II than for Type I. In management type, suburbanization was more pronounced for super stores and specialty stores than for department stores and cooperative department stores.
