The effects of parking policy on consumers' choice of a shopping centre are often subject of controversy. Shopkeepers fear for a decline in sales when the parking situation changes. According to them, the parking situation worsens when the parking rates increase or when the pay-parking area is enlarged. The entrepreneurs are of the opinion that the parking situation is decisive in the consumers' choice for a place of purchase. However, this study shows that this thesis has but little foundation. The role of parking on the choice of a shopping centre has been researched applying a case study methodology. Ten shopping centres in the Dutch province of Zuid-HoIland have been investigated on aspects like parking, shopping supply, economic functioning and the interrelations between them. A causal relationship between parking situation and economic functioning has not been found. However, this does not mean that parking and accessibility are of no importance. These have to meet certain demands of the consumers. Economic functioning of a shopping place depends mostly on the quality and composition of the supply. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206647.
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