This research study acquired a consumer response centred approach to visual merchandising stimuli, in an attempt to holistically consider this area of the retail industry. Consumers‟ perceptions towards visual merchandising displays and the effect these displays have on consumer behaviour were exposed. The primary research question that pended from the preliminary literature was to determine the effect of visual merchandising displays on consumer perceptions. Explorative research was performed and qualitative data were collected by means of focus groups and naïve sketches. The data was analysed by means of a thematic analysis process. Perceptions of visual merchandising displays that were identified were subliminal in creating an interest and desire to further peruse the merchandise and aesthetically to beautify the store. Consumers expressed that the impact that visual merchandising displays had on their buying decisions depended on their personal preferences. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Suid-Afrika het ongekende verstedeliking ervaar en agtergeblewe verbruikers het hulle in gebiede in en om stede gevestig. Steeds toenemende verstedeliking veroorsaak enersyds probleme aangesien basiese infrastruktuurvoorsiening (elektrisiteit, water, en riool) ontbreek. Andersyds laat die afwesigheid van formele kleinhandelsfasiliteite in die agtergeblewe gebiede die vraag ontstaan wat hierdie verbruikers se behoefte aan afsetpunte behels. 'n Ewekansige-waarskynlikheidsnavorsingstudie met 'n steekproef van 300 huishoudings, 'n vraelys, en persoonlike onderhoude is onderneem om die agtergeblewe verbruikers in die Soshanguve gebied se behoeftes na kleinhandelsafsetpunte te bepaal. Die bevinding is dat die meeste verbruikers buite hul woongebied werksaam is, 'n gemiddelde inkomste van tot R2 000 per maand verdien, en dat taxi's die hoofvervoermiddel is. Kleinhandelsaankope word hoofsaaklik in Pretoria en Mabopane gedoen. Daar bestaan wel 'n behoefte na formele kleinhandelsafsetpunte, veral vir bederfbare produkte en kruideniersware soos voorsien deur bekende kleinhandelsintellings soos die OK Bazaars. Die ondersoek bevestig dat Soshanguve kleinhandelsbeleggingsgeleenthede bied vir verskeie kleinhandelsfasiliteite. / South-Africa experienced unknown urbanisation and disadvantaged consumers flocked to the cities. Continuous urbanisation causes infrastructural problems such as a lack of electricity, water, and sewerage facilities. The absence of formal retail outlets in these areas poses the question what retailing needs these consumers do have. A simple random probability research study with a sample of 300 households, a questionnaire, and personal interviews was used to determine the disadvantaged consumers' needs for retail outlets in the Soshanguve area. The results indicate that most consumers work outside Soshanguve, earn an average of up to R2 000 per month, and use taxi's as a means of transportation. Retail purchases are made in Pretoria and Mabopane. There is a definite need for formal retail outlets, especially for perishables and groceries as provided by retailers such as OK Bazaars. The research confirms that there are retail investment opportunities in Soshanguve for the establishment of various retail facilities. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the MTech: Internal Auditing In the Faculty of Business at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2010 / The concept of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) was created and implemented by the South African Government in an attempt to improve the economy of South Africa, reducing the unemployment rate and eliminating poverty. As a basic objective, SMMEs strive toward sustainability, however in recent years sustainability is at an all time low as substantial a number of these businesses fail to become viable entities. Popular literature show that Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retail SMMEs make ineffective use of their accounting resources, resulting in them making critical business decisions without understanding and interpreting their financial performance or financial positions. These decisions have a ‘toxic’ affect on their business sustainability and as a result, it is perceived that these SMMEs make inefficient use of financial performance measures. The key objective of this research is to establish what financial performance measures sourced from accounting resources are regarded as being critical for the sustainability of FMCG retail SMMEs during the current dispensation of an economic depression in South Africa. To achieve the above dispensation, applied research will be used using ‘action research’ as the primary research paradigm supported by questionnaires for the purpose of data analysis, results of which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Recommendations culminate from the research to mitigate the research problem.

In the contemporary business environment, a plethora of retail literature exists which examine the influence of CSR on the business. However, literature that explores Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the liquor retail sector has been relatively sparse. This study explored CSR in Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) liquor retail outlets in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to investigate the engagement of SME liquor retailers in CSR practices, to ascertain whether a relationship exists between providing employee training on responsible retailing of alcohol and CSR practices by SME liquor retailers, to investigate whether employee involvement in decision making influences CSR practices by SME liquor retailers, to ascertain whether a relationship exists between the practical actions to reduce alcohol-related harm and CSR practices by SME liquor retailers, to investigate whether SME liquor retailers do social good as an expression of CSR as well as to determine whether SME liquor retailers are influenced by stakeholders to engage in CSR initiatives. Both primary and secondary data sources were used in this study. A quantitative research design was used in conducting this research. Convenience sampling, a non-probability sampling technique, was used to select a sample of 94 from the sample frame of 123 SME liquor retailers. The survey method, by way of a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as statistical software was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The findings of this research revealed that Stakeholder influence, employee involvement in decision making and employee training in responsible retailing of alcohol have an influence on the CSR practices of SME liquor retailers. The study also identified the safety and practical measures that SME liquor retailers are practicing as a way of reducing alcohol related-harm. A recommendation to stakeholders, such as suppliers and government to find more strategies of influencing SME liquor retailers to practice CSR, was made. Lastly, recommendations were made to SME liquor owners and managers on how to improve their CSR practices.

Companies in commoditised marketplaces such as the fresh milk market in the Western Cape are seeking ways to improve sales and increase their market shares relative to the competition. This study explored differentiation as a viable competitive strategy in the Western Cape fresh milk market to increase market share and drive brand preference. Using telephonic interviews to administer a structured questionnaire to a randomly selected sample of 300 respondents, the study undertook to identify Western Cape milk consumers’ procurement behaviour, the attributes that consumers look for when selecting fresh milk and their selection criteria when choosing between fresh milk brands. The study found that nine attributes influenced the consumer’s choice of fresh milk brand, with price, consistency of taste, consistency of colour and expiry date being the most important. Brand attributes such as the company image, environmental concerns, company location, animal welfare and packaging played a less prominent role, but were also considered by consumers when selecting a brand of fresh milk. The study concluded that while price was the overriding decision-making variable, a differentiation strategy based on the nine identified attributes, or a subset thereof, will influence consumer procurement behaviour and potentially sway consumer preference. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on differentiation as a competitive strategy and specifically applies it to the Western Cape fresh milk market. / Marketing and Retail / M. Com. (Marketing and Retail Management)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The first fully enclosed, airconditioned shopping mall in a black township in South Africa opened in 1979 in Umlazi, outside Durban. The provincial development corporation (lthala) spearheaded emerging market shopping centre development in KwaZulu-Natal to the extent that, with the involvement of the private sector, substantial knowledge and experience have been gained in shopping centre development in emerging markets over the past two decades. The study focuses on black shopping patterns and household income and expenditure in townships and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The assessments include: • empirical trade areas; • geodemographics and geographic infonnation systems (GIS); • buying power modelling; • market share estimates; • retail hierarchies; • viability and feasibility studies; • centre design (including taxi rank developments); • informal trading; and • tenant mix; location; financing and research strategies. The study fonnulates a universal buying power model for KwaZulu-Natal that transcends ethnic and geographic classifications, to enhance, with the aid of computer technology and census information, the accuracy and cost effectiveness of viability and feasibility studies in shopping centre development. An IntegJ.-ated Commercial Assessment Model (JCAM) is formulated whereby demographic data of a trade area and financial feasibility parameters are integrated to assess the viability of a shopping centre. The study concludes that although there are many unique features associated with shopping centres in emerging market locations, the :fundamental principles that apply all over the world in shopping centre development, also apply to emerg1ng markets in KwaZulu-Natal. Relatively low disposable incomes limit the sustainable size of the emerging market shopping centre. Shopping centre locations are linked to the interdependence on public transportation by emerging market patrons. Factors conducive fo-r shopping centre development, such as high private vehicle ownership, high disposable income, willing retailers, effective town planning and state assistance, have not yet reached levels that would benefit the widespread development of shopping centres in townships. Emerging market shopping centre developments in the central business districts of rural towns, however, have been generally very successful and are setting the benchmarks in South Africa. / Die opening van die eerste ingeslote winkelsentrum met sentrale lugreeling in 'n swart woonbuurt in Suid-Afrika, het in 1979 in Umlazi (buite Durban) plaasgevind. Die provinsiale ontwikkelingskorporasie (Ithala) het aan die spits van winkelsentrum ontwikkeling in opkomende markte in KwaZulu-Natal gestaan. Die toetrede van die privaatsektor tot die mark het verder ook substansieel bygedra tot kennnis en ondervinding in winkelsentrumontwikkeling oor twee dekades in opkomende markte. Hierdie studie fokus op swart kooppatrone en huisgesin inkomste and uitgawes in swart woonbuurtes en landelike gebiede in KwaZulu-Natal. Die ondersoeke sluit die volgende in: • empiriese handelsgebiede; • geodemografie en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS); • koopkrag modellering; • markaandeel skatting; • kleinhandel hierargie; • lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies; • sentrum ontwerp (ingesluit taxi staanplek ontwikkelings); • informele handel; en huurdersamestelling, ligging. finansiering en navorsingsstrategie. Die studie formuleer 'n universele koopkrag model vir KwaZulu-Natal wat etniese en geografiese klassifikasies oorskry en met die hulp van 'n rekenaar en sensus inligling, die akkuraatheid en koste effektiwiteit van lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies in winkelsentrum ontwikkeling, moontlik maak. 'n Geintegreerde kommersiele evalueringsmodel (GKEM) is geformuleer waarmee demografiese data van 'n handelsgebied en finansiele data geintegreer word om die lewensvatbaarbeid van 'n winkelsentmm te evalueer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, ongeag die baie unieke eienskappe van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte, die fundamentele reels wat reg oor die wereld met winkelsentrumontwikkeling toegepas word, ook vir die opkomende markte van KwaZulu-Natal geld. Relatief lae besteebare inkomstes beperk die drakrag grootte van winkelsentmms in opkomende markte. Winkelsentrumliggings word verbind met die interafhanklikheid van publieke vervoer van die marksegment. Faktore gunstig vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling soos hoe privaatmotorbesit, hoe besteebare inkomste, gewi1lige kleinhandelaars, effektiewe stadsbeplanning en staatsondersteuning het nog nie vlakke bereik wat die grootskaalse ontwikkeling van winkelsentrums in swart woonbuurtes bevoordeel nie. Winkelsentrumontwikkeling in die sentrale sakegebiede van landelike dorpe is wel, in die algemeen, suksesvol en stel tans die standaard vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling vir opkomende markte in Suid Africa. / Geography / D. Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Key terms in English and Afrikaans / Titles in English and Afrikaans / The first fully enclosed, airconditioned shopping mall in a black township in South Africa opened in 1979 in Umlazi, outside Durban. The provincial development corporation (Ithala) spearheaded emerging market shopping centre development in KwaZulu-Natal to the extent that, with the involvement of the private sector, substantial knowledge and experience have been gained in shopping centre development in emerging markets over the past two decades. The study focuses on black shopping patterns and household income and expenditure in townships and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The assessments include: • empirical trade areas; • geodemographics and geographic information systems (GIS); • buying power modelling; • market share estimates; • retail hierarchies; • viability and feasibility studies; • centre design (including taxi rank developments); • informal trading; and • tenant mix; location; financing and research strategies. The study formulates a universal buying power model for KwaZulu-Natal that transcends ethnic and geographic classifications, to enhance, with the aid of computer technology and census information, the accuracy and cost effectiveness of viability and feasibility studies in shopping centre development. An Integrated Commercial Assessment Model (ICAM) is formulated whereby demographic data of a trade area and financial feasibility parameters are integrated to assess the viability of a shopping centre. The study concludes that although there are many unique features associated with shopping centres in emerging market locations, the fundamental principles that apply all over the world in shopping centre development, also apply to emerging markets in KwaZulu-Natal. Relatively low disposable incomes limit the sustainable size of the emerging market shopping centre. Shopping centre locations are linked to the interdependence on public transportation by emerging market patrons. Factors conducive for shopping centre development, such as high private vehicle ownership, high disposable income, willing retailers, effective town planning and state assistance, have not yet reached levels that would benefit the widespread development of shopping centres in townships. Emerging market shopping centre developments in the central business districts of rural towns, however, have been generally very successful and are setting the benchmarks in South / Die opening van die eerste ingeslote winkelsentrum met sentrale lugreeling in 'n swart woonbuurt in Suid-Afrika, het in 1979 in Umlazi (buite Durban) plaasgevind. Die provinsiale ontwikkelingskorporasie (Ithala) het aan die spits van winkelsentrum ontwikkeling in opkomende markte in KwaZulu-Natal gestaan. Die toetrede van die privaatsektor tot die mark het verder ook substansieel bygedra tot kennis en ondervinding in winkelsentrumontwikkeling oor twee dekades in opkomende markte. Hierdie studie fokus op swart kooppatrone en huisgesin inkomste and uitgawes in swart woonbuurtes en landelike gebiede in KwaZulu-Natal. Die ondersoeke sluit die volgende in: • empiriese handelsgebiede; • geodemografie en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS); • koopkrag modellering; • markaandeel skatting; • kleinhandel hierargie; • lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies; • sentrum ontwerp (ingesluit taxi staanplek ontwikkelings); • informele handel; en • huurdersamestelling, ligging, finansiering en navorsingsstrategie. Die studie formuleer 'n universele koopkrag model vir KwaZulu-Natal wat etniese en geografiese klassifikasies oorskry en met die hulp van 'n rekenaar en sensus inligting, die akkuraatheid en koste effektiwiteit van lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies in winkelsentrum ontwikkeling, moontlik maak. 'n Geintegreerde kommersiele evalueringsmodel (GKEM) is geformuleer waarmee demografiese data van 'n handelsgebied en finansiele data geintegreer word on die lewensvatbaarheid van 'n winkelsentrum te evalueer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, ongeag die baie unieke eienskappe van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte, die fundamentele reels wat reg oor die wereld met winkelsentrumontwikkeling toegepas word, ook vir die opkomende markte van KwaZulu-Natal geld. Relatief lae besteebare inkomstes beperk die drakrag grootte van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte. Winkelsentrumliggings word verbind met die interafhanklikheid van publieke vervoer van die marksegment. F aktore gunstig vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling soos hoe privaat motorbesit, hoe besteebare inkomste, gewillige kleinhandelaars, effektiewe stadsbeplanning en staatsondersteuning het nog nie vlakke bereik wat die grootskaalse ontwikkeling van winkelsentrums in swart woonbuurtes bevoordeel nie. Winkelsentrumontwikkeling in die sentrale sakegebiede van landelike dorpe is wel, in die algemeen, suksesvol en stel tans die standaard vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling vir opkomende markte in Suid Africa / Geography and Environmental Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

This research study aims to obtain a holistic view of the area of store atmospherics, which forms part of the retail industry. A consumer-centred response approach was followed. Store atmospherics and its influence on consumers’ buying behaviour has received very little attention in the literature to date. Consumers’ views on in-store atmospheric elements and the influence of these elements on their buying behaviour were obtained. The primary research aim that was derived from the preliminary literature was therefore to explore the influence of store atmospherics on consumers’ buying behaviour in apparel retail stores in the Tshwane region. The type of research design used in this study was exploratory, making use of a qualitative approach and a communicative technique of interviews. The selected method was focus group interviews and naïve sketches. The data gathered was analysed by means of Tesch’s inductive descriptive coding technique, better known as thematic analysis. It was found that atmospheric elements have the ability to influence consumers in either a subconscious or a conscious way. This has a direct influence on the amount of time that consumers will spend in-store and ultimately influences their buying decisions and behaviour either positively or negatively. This had a direct influence on the amount of time that consumers will spend instore and ultimately influences their buying decisions and behaviours either positively or negatively, meaning that the consumers’ will display either an approach- or avoidance behaviour. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The first fully enclosed, airconditioned shopping mall in a black township in South Africa opened in 1979 in Umlazi, outside Durban. The provincial development corporation (lthala) spearheaded emerging market shopping centre development in KwaZulu-Natal to the extent that, with the involvement of the private sector, substantial knowledge and experience have been gained in shopping centre development in emerging markets over the past two decades. The study focuses on black shopping patterns and household income and expenditure in townships and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The assessments include: • empirical trade areas; • geodemographics and geographic infonnation systems (GIS); • buying power modelling; • market share estimates; • retail hierarchies; • viability and feasibility studies; • centre design (including taxi rank developments); • informal trading; and • tenant mix; location; financing and research strategies. The study fonnulates a universal buying power model for KwaZulu-Natal that transcends ethnic and geographic classifications, to enhance, with the aid of computer technology and census information, the accuracy and cost effectiveness of viability and feasibility studies in shopping centre development. An IntegJ.-ated Commercial Assessment Model (JCAM) is formulated whereby demographic data of a trade area and financial feasibility parameters are integrated to assess the viability of a shopping centre. The study concludes that although there are many unique features associated with shopping centres in emerging market locations, the :fundamental principles that apply all over the world in shopping centre development, also apply to emerg1ng markets in KwaZulu-Natal. Relatively low disposable incomes limit the sustainable size of the emerging market shopping centre. Shopping centre locations are linked to the interdependence on public transportation by emerging market patrons. Factors conducive fo-r shopping centre development, such as high private vehicle ownership, high disposable income, willing retailers, effective town planning and state assistance, have not yet reached levels that would benefit the widespread development of shopping centres in townships. Emerging market shopping centre developments in the central business districts of rural towns, however, have been generally very successful and are setting the benchmarks in South Africa. / Die opening van die eerste ingeslote winkelsentrum met sentrale lugreeling in 'n swart woonbuurt in Suid-Afrika, het in 1979 in Umlazi (buite Durban) plaasgevind. Die provinsiale ontwikkelingskorporasie (Ithala) het aan die spits van winkelsentrum ontwikkeling in opkomende markte in KwaZulu-Natal gestaan. Die toetrede van die privaatsektor tot die mark het verder ook substansieel bygedra tot kennnis en ondervinding in winkelsentrumontwikkeling oor twee dekades in opkomende markte. Hierdie studie fokus op swart kooppatrone en huisgesin inkomste and uitgawes in swart woonbuurtes en landelike gebiede in KwaZulu-Natal. Die ondersoeke sluit die volgende in: • empiriese handelsgebiede; • geodemografie en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS); • koopkrag modellering; • markaandeel skatting; • kleinhandel hierargie; • lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies; • sentrum ontwerp (ingesluit taxi staanplek ontwikkelings); • informele handel; en huurdersamestelling, ligging. finansiering en navorsingsstrategie. Die studie formuleer 'n universele koopkrag model vir KwaZulu-Natal wat etniese en geografiese klassifikasies oorskry en met die hulp van 'n rekenaar en sensus inligling, die akkuraatheid en koste effektiwiteit van lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies in winkelsentrum ontwikkeling, moontlik maak. 'n Geintegreerde kommersiele evalueringsmodel (GKEM) is geformuleer waarmee demografiese data van 'n handelsgebied en finansiele data geintegreer word om die lewensvatbaarbeid van 'n winkelsentmm te evalueer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, ongeag die baie unieke eienskappe van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte, die fundamentele reels wat reg oor die wereld met winkelsentrumontwikkeling toegepas word, ook vir die opkomende markte van KwaZulu-Natal geld. Relatief lae besteebare inkomstes beperk die drakrag grootte van winkelsentmms in opkomende markte. Winkelsentrumliggings word verbind met die interafhanklikheid van publieke vervoer van die marksegment. Faktore gunstig vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling soos hoe privaatmotorbesit, hoe besteebare inkomste, gewi1lige kleinhandelaars, effektiewe stadsbeplanning en staatsondersteuning het nog nie vlakke bereik wat die grootskaalse ontwikkeling van winkelsentrums in swart woonbuurtes bevoordeel nie. Winkelsentrumontwikkeling in die sentrale sakegebiede van landelike dorpe is wel, in die algemeen, suksesvol en stel tans die standaard vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling vir opkomende markte in Suid Africa. / Geography / D. Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Key terms in English and Afrikaans / Titles in English and Afrikaans / The first fully enclosed, airconditioned shopping mall in a black township in South Africa opened in 1979 in Umlazi, outside Durban. The provincial development corporation (Ithala) spearheaded emerging market shopping centre development in KwaZulu-Natal to the extent that, with the involvement of the private sector, substantial knowledge and experience have been gained in shopping centre development in emerging markets over the past two decades. The study focuses on black shopping patterns and household income and expenditure in townships and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The assessments include: • empirical trade areas; • geodemographics and geographic information systems (GIS); • buying power modelling; • market share estimates; • retail hierarchies; • viability and feasibility studies; • centre design (including taxi rank developments); • informal trading; and • tenant mix; location; financing and research strategies. The study formulates a universal buying power model for KwaZulu-Natal that transcends ethnic and geographic classifications, to enhance, with the aid of computer technology and census information, the accuracy and cost effectiveness of viability and feasibility studies in shopping centre development. An Integrated Commercial Assessment Model (ICAM) is formulated whereby demographic data of a trade area and financial feasibility parameters are integrated to assess the viability of a shopping centre. The study concludes that although there are many unique features associated with shopping centres in emerging market locations, the fundamental principles that apply all over the world in shopping centre development, also apply to emerging markets in KwaZulu-Natal. Relatively low disposable incomes limit the sustainable size of the emerging market shopping centre. Shopping centre locations are linked to the interdependence on public transportation by emerging market patrons. Factors conducive for shopping centre development, such as high private vehicle ownership, high disposable income, willing retailers, effective town planning and state assistance, have not yet reached levels that would benefit the widespread development of shopping centres in townships. Emerging market shopping centre developments in the central business districts of rural towns, however, have been generally very successful and are setting the benchmarks in South / Die opening van die eerste ingeslote winkelsentrum met sentrale lugreeling in 'n swart woonbuurt in Suid-Afrika, het in 1979 in Umlazi (buite Durban) plaasgevind. Die provinsiale ontwikkelingskorporasie (Ithala) het aan die spits van winkelsentrum ontwikkeling in opkomende markte in KwaZulu-Natal gestaan. Die toetrede van die privaatsektor tot die mark het verder ook substansieel bygedra tot kennis en ondervinding in winkelsentrumontwikkeling oor twee dekades in opkomende markte. Hierdie studie fokus op swart kooppatrone en huisgesin inkomste and uitgawes in swart woonbuurtes en landelike gebiede in KwaZulu-Natal. Die ondersoeke sluit die volgende in: • empiriese handelsgebiede; • geodemografie en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS); • koopkrag modellering; • markaandeel skatting; • kleinhandel hierargie; • lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies; • sentrum ontwerp (ingesluit taxi staanplek ontwikkelings); • informele handel; en • huurdersamestelling, ligging, finansiering en navorsingsstrategie. Die studie formuleer 'n universele koopkrag model vir KwaZulu-Natal wat etniese en geografiese klassifikasies oorskry en met die hulp van 'n rekenaar en sensus inligting, die akkuraatheid en koste effektiwiteit van lewensvatbaarheid en uitvoerbaarheid studies in winkelsentrum ontwikkeling, moontlik maak. 'n Geintegreerde kommersiele evalueringsmodel (GKEM) is geformuleer waarmee demografiese data van 'n handelsgebied en finansiele data geintegreer word on die lewensvatbaarheid van 'n winkelsentrum te evalueer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, ongeag die baie unieke eienskappe van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte, die fundamentele reels wat reg oor die wereld met winkelsentrumontwikkeling toegepas word, ook vir die opkomende markte van KwaZulu-Natal geld. Relatief lae besteebare inkomstes beperk die drakrag grootte van winkelsentrums in opkomende markte. Winkelsentrumliggings word verbind met die interafhanklikheid van publieke vervoer van die marksegment. F aktore gunstig vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling soos hoe privaat motorbesit, hoe besteebare inkomste, gewillige kleinhandelaars, effektiewe stadsbeplanning en staatsondersteuning het nog nie vlakke bereik wat die grootskaalse ontwikkeling van winkelsentrums in swart woonbuurtes bevoordeel nie. Winkelsentrumontwikkeling in die sentrale sakegebiede van landelike dorpe is wel, in die algemeen, suksesvol en stel tans die standaard vir winkelsentrumontwikkeling vir opkomende markte in Suid Africa / Geography and Environmental Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)