Knowing the types of shopping centers and the likely visitor experiences are helpful when deciding on the best shopping stop for your group. The following characteristics and definitions of 9 types of shopping centers from the International Association of Shopping Centers (ICSC) are useful guidelines when planning group shopping stops. Planners may anticipate a stay lasting 3+ hours at centers listed on TRIPinfo.
Note: TRIPinfo omits the Strip/Convenience category of shopping centers since these are not usually planned stops for group tours. Also, some centers may not precisely fit into one specific classification.
General-Purpose Centers |
Type |
Concept |
Typical GLA Range (Sq. Ft.) |
Typical # of Tenants |
Typical Type of Anchors |
Neighborhood Center |
Convenience |
30,000 - 125,000 |
5 - 20 |
Supermarket |
Community Center |
General merchandise; convenience |
125,000 - 400,000 |
15 - 40 |
Discount department store; supermarket; drug; home improvement; large specialty-discount; apparel |
Regional Center |
General merchandise; fashion |
400,000 - 800,000 |
40 - 80 |
Full-line department store; junior department store; mass merchant; discount department store; fashion apparel |
Super-Regional Center |
Similar to regional center but has more variety and assortment |
800,000+ |
N/A |
Full-line department store; junior department store; mass merchant; fashion apparel |
Neighborhood Center: This center is designed to provide convenience shopping for the day-to-day needs of consumers in the immediate neighborhood. A neighborhood center is typically a straight-line strip with no enclosed walkway or mall area. |
Regional Center: This center sells a full variety of general merchandise, mostly apparel, in typically enclosed malls with inward facing stores that share a common walkway. Its main attractions are its anchors. |
Community Center: A community center offers a wider variety of apparel and other goods than a neighborhood center. Configuration is a straight line, L- or U-shaped. |
Super-Regional Center: This center is similar to the regional center, but it is larger with more anchors and carries a deeper selection of merchandise. Super-regional centers draw from a larger population base. Typical configuration is enclosed with multilevels. |
Specialized-Purpose Centers |
Type |
Concept |
Typical GLA Range (Sq. Ft.) |
# of Anchors |
Typical Type of Anchors |
Lifestyle |
Upscale stores with dining & entertainment |
150,000 - 500,000 |
0 - 2 |
Large format upscale specialty |
Power Center |
Category-dominant anchors |
250,000 - 600,000 |
3 or more |
Category killers; home improvement; discount department store; warehouse club; off-price |
Theme/Festival Center |
Leisure, tourist, retail and service-oriented offerings |
80,000 - 250,000 |
N/A |
Restaurants, entertainment |
Outlet Center |
Manufacturers' and retailers' outlet stores selling brand-name goods at a discount |
50,000 - 400,000 |
N/A |
Manufacturers' and retailers' outlets |
Fashion/Specialty Center: This center is composed of upscale national-chain specialty stores with dining & entertainment in an outdoor setting. They may not be anchored, but restaurants or entertainment provide the draw of anchors. A sophisticated design emphasizes the rich decor and landscaping. |
Theme/Festival Center: The centers appeal to tourists; restaurants and entertainment facilities may anchor. Anticipate seeing them in urban areas adapted from older, possibly historic, buildings and part of mixed-use projects. |
Power Center: Several large anchors, including discount department stores, off-price stores, warehouse clubs or "category killers" (stores that offer huge selection in particular merchandise categories at low prices) dominate. The center consists of several freestanding anchors and only a few, small specialty tenants. |
Outlet Center: Outlet centers consist of manufacturers' and retailers' outlet stores selling their brands at a discount. They are found in rural or tourist locations. Outlet center designs include enclosed malls, a "village" cluster or a strip configuration. |
Limited-Purpose Centers |
Type |
Concept |
Typical GLA Range (Sq. Ft.) |
# of Anchors |
Typical Type of Anchors |
Airport Retail |
Consolidation of retail stores located within a commercial airport |
75,000 - 300,000 |
N/A |
Specialty retail and restaurants with no anchors |
|