The trade fairs' surrogate role in the absence of regional shopping complexes in the Maltese retail fabric

Abstract

Malta has an inefficient retail system. In spite of modem lifestyles, Maltese consumers still have to carry out shopping activities in retail centres which are heavily congested. This is to be taken in consideration with the dispersed geographical pattern of new shopping projects. Such a situation is highly inconvenient to Maltese consumers. Experience from abroad where socio-economic changes occurring presently in Malta have already occurred emphasized the increasing importance of efficiency and convenience for consumers. New consumer demands brought about by such changes were recognized by retailers abroad and this gave way to the emergence of 'out-of-town' regional shopping centres. In these complexes consumers carry out shopping activities in a convenient, pleasurable and secure environment. Shopping complexes corresponding to 'out-of-town' regional shopping centres lack in Malta. In this situation, the Malta Trade fairs take the role of convenient national shopping centres, where many retail outlets from all around Malta are agglomerated together in one place for temporary periods of time.