Retail park is spelled as /ˈriːteɪl pɑːk/, with the stress on the first syllable. The word consists of two parts, "retail" and "park". "Retail" refers to the sale of goods to customers, while "park" refers to an open space designated for a particular purpose. Together, the term refers to a large shopping area with multiple retail stores located in one place, usually outside of a city center. The spelling of "retail park" is standard and commonly used in the UK and other parts of the world.
A retail park refers to a commercial development in the urban or suburban areas specifically designed to accommodate a collection of multiple retail stores and services in a single location. Also known as a shopping park, this type of retail space is characterized by its open-air layout, typically utilizing a large plot of land where several standalone or interconnected buildings are organized to create a shopping complex.
Retail parks are commonly found on the outskirts of towns or cities, strategically situated near major roads or highways, ensuring easy accessibility for shoppers. These parks often offer a wide range of goods and services, featuring diverse retailers such as department stores, supermarkets, electronics outlets, home improvement centers, and specialty stores. Additionally, they frequently include leisure amenities like eateries, cafes, cinemas, and playgrounds, providing a comprehensive shopping experience for customers.
Unlike traditional shopping centers or malls, retail parks generally lack a covered walkway linking individual stores. Instead, shoppers navigate between stores by walking across parking lots or pedestrian walkways, often benefiting from the availability of ample parking spaces. This open-air format allows for ease of access to each individual store, as well as the flexibility for large, bulky or non-standard-shaped stores to establish a presence in the retail park. Retail parks are a popular choice for customers seeking convenience, a wide variety of retailers in one location, and often provide a more spacious and less crowded shopping experience in comparison to enclosed malls.
The word "retail park" is a compound term that combines the words "retail" and "park".
The term "retail" originated from the Anglo-French word "retailler", which means "to cut off or break apart". In the 14th century, it was used to refer to the act of selling things in small quantities. Over time, it evolved to specifically relate to the sale of goods to the general public.
The word "park" originated from the Old French word "parc", which originally referred to an enclosed space for animals. It later expanded to include areas of land enclosed for pleasure, hunting, or other recreational purposes.
The combination of these two words resulted in the term "retail park", which refers to a large area or complex with multiple retail stores and facilities, often situated in a planned and landscaped environment.