Evolving Retail Landscapes and Consumer Behaviour : An Integrative Review

The retail sector has undergone profound structural and strategic transformation over recent decades, driven by shifts in consumer lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, technological advancement, and the proliferation of diverse retail formats. These developments have fundamentally reshaped consumer shopping behaviour, store choice preferences, and purchase decision-making processes. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the extant literature on retail formats and consumer behaviour, integrating insights from classical and contemporary studies to develop a coherent understanding of the field. The review critically examines the evolution of retail formats and analyses key determinants of consumer behaviour, including decision-making styles, store image, service quality, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and the increasing influence of digital technologies and e-retailing. The synthesis reveals that consumer behaviour is governed by a complex interplay of demographic, psychological, situational, and store-related factors rather than isolated determinants. While organised retail formats attract consumers through superior ambience, broad assortments, convenience, and experiential value, unorganised retail formats continue to sustain relevance through proximity, personalised relationships, and operational flexibility. Furthermore, the review identifies critical research gaps related to longitudinal behavioural analysis, hybrid and omnichannel retail models, and generational variations in shopping behaviour. By consolidating fragmented scholarly contributions, this review offers a holistic perspective on retail formats and consumer behaviour and provides a robust foundation for future research and strategic decision-making in retail management.