This paper explores the structure, operation, and decision making in the retail market andhow they relate to energy efficiency. The retail market is comprised of retail and service establishmentslocated in malls, strip malls, multi-use structures, and standalone buildings. The paperis based on a larger study of the commercial building market completed for the US Departmentof Energy. The findings are based on extensive analysis of secondary literature and data as wellas analysis of Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) data. Among otherthings, the study finds that there is a high degree of concentration of ownership and decisionmakingin the retail submarket. Fifty large national firms own and/or manage between 28 and 32percent of the floor space in strip malls and regional malls. These firms lease to many of thelarge national retailers.The large retail chains dominate the mall and big box markets. The design and implementationof these stores tends to be based on standard architectural designs that are maintainedby "image architects" that work for the chains. If the large national chains lease the space, theyare usually able to control the design and characteristics of the space through the lease. Thus,large retailers and their design organizations are key targets for energy efficiency programs.The paper also explores the smaller independent owner operated retail segment. It presentsdata about the frequency with which retail stores are remodeled. It discusses the decline ofregional malls that account for about 20 percent of regional mall floor space.
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