Englishization of retail stores in the city center of Utrecht: The impacts on the accessibility of shopping for Dutch elderly
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2024-06-21
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
Retail gentrification is a process within gentrification involving the up-scaling of retail stores, often in the form of boutiques and chain stores, while displacing local stores on which long-term residents rely. This process is intertwined with the increasing spread and implementation of English. In this thesis the influence of this ‘Englishization’ of retail stores in the city centre of Utrecht on the experience and accessibility of shopping for elderly residents has been researched. For this single case study, qualitative research methods have been used, consisting of semi-structured interviews and a focus group with ten elderly residents aged 65 or older. Additionally, a semi-structured interview with the head of the centre management of Utrecht has been conducted. Resulting, Englishization of retail stores led to physical exclusion of one respondent and symbolic exclusion of three others. Furthermore, all elderly respondents expressed negative feelings and experiences with at least one aspect of retail gentrification. In conclusion, Englishization of retail stores, as a part of retail gentrification, in the city centre of Utrecht may possibly negatively impact the symbolic accessibility and experience of shopping for elderly residents, by causing negative feelings such as loss, annoyance, suspicion, hatred, offense and indignance associated with shopping.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen