The (un)importance of the closure of village shops to rural migration patterns

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of local service provision for the survival of rural areas. EU Rural Development Policy includes support to village shops as a mean to sustain population. Shop closing is assumed to negatively affect migration to and from the area served. We analyse quantitative data on all Swedish village shops and the migration patterns in their market areas before and after shop closure. No significant effect of shop closure on either in- or outmigration can be established, regardless of whether larger or smaller market areas are employed or whether migrants with more urban shopping habits (i.e. commuters and families with children) are excluded. Complementary interviews in three villages where the last shop has closed verify the results

Keywords

rural; service; migration; retailing

Published in

International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research
2011, Volume: 21, number: 2, pages: 129-143
Publisher: Routledge

SLU Authors

• Westholm, Erik

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Economics and Business
Social Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593969.2011.562678

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/34274