American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

According to the Retail Gravitational Law, what factor decreases the attraction of retail trade from a city?

1. Population density

2. Distance

3. Economic status

4. City size

The correct answer is: Distance

In the context of Retail Gravity Law, the factor that decreases the attraction of retail trade from a city is distance. This principle posits that retail attraction is inversely related to the distance consumers must travel to access retail goods and services. As the distance from a city increases, the likelihood that consumers will visit that city for shopping diminishes, leading to reduced retail trade attraction. This relationship emphasizes the importance of proximity; the closer a consumer is to a retail center, the more likely they are to visit and make purchases there. Conversely, as distance increases, consumers often seek alternatives closer to home, leading to a decline in the pull or gravitational attraction that a city has for shoppers. Hence, the concept underlines how frequent and convenient access drives retail patronage.