Identifying design performance factors for effective shopping center design

Abstract

Effective and sustainable design is essential for the survival of shopping centers in a fiercely competitive business landscape. The success of shopping centers is primarily contingent on the retail stores’ sales performance. The objective of this manuscript is to pinpoint and rank the design performance variables for an effective shopping center design and effective sales performance of the retail stores. The measurement factors influencing the retail stores’ sales performance were identified after a thorough review of literature. To assess the content validity of the identified measurement factors, researchers conducted interviews with seven retail experts and three customers using the expert judgment method. Each factor received an evaluation value based on their responses. During the process, experts identified additional factors through unrestrictive questions, while less significant factors were abolished. The results disclosed a modified list of measurement factors impacting sales performance. Successively, 16 retail store managers with over 15 years of experience evaluated each factor via a questionnaire survey. Respondents ranked the most crucial factors as ‘brand variety’, ‘presence of carpark’, ‘heating/ ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) comfort’, ‘shopping center lighting design’. The findings are discussed in detail and compared to the findings of the expert judgement policies for coastal areas and calls for a broader public discussion.