The Slovak population, like the population in other European countries, is aging. The population in the older age groups is growing by increasing the average age of life. Even in old age, people are still active, they like to actively participate in social and economic activities, and they carry out various hobby activities, which preserve but also increase the quality of their personal lives. Seniors over the age of 50+, referred to as the silver generation, are important consumers of a wide range of services, including the growing retail services. These are the reasons why an increased attention needs to be paid to them. The aim of the paper is to know the shopping behavior of the silver generation in relation to the specificity of the spatial structure of retail facilities. The research was carried out in the Slovak city of Nitra. This West Slovak city is known for its history, university education facilities and currently especially the automotive industry, which has significantly contributed to improving the economic conditions of its inhabitants. The shopping types of senior respondents were obtained by questionnaires and evaluated by a comparative analysis based on a description. The results of the research show that the behavior of the current silver generation is changing in comparison to the previous one. The closest relationship between the seniors’ traditional way of shopping and the traditional mixed retail facilities in the central part of the city has not been confirmed. The statistically closest relationship between the shopping types of seniors was confirmed in the residential districts where the retail facilities consist of large shopping centers, supermarkets and hypermarkets with a concentrated offer. Senior shopping is changing significantly and is in line with modern trends. New forms of retail supply change the usual patterns of senior shopping behavior.
The aim of the research was a spatial and functional analysis of the accessibility of retail food environments in relation to the inhabitants of dispersed settlements who are socially and geographically disadvantaged in purchasing g food. The consumer behavior and food shopping habits of the inhabitants of these areas largely depend on the spatial and functional characteristics of the dispersed settlement and the surrounding area. In terms of food consumption, an important determinant is the availability of convenience stores, defined by the economic and physical ability to access food sources. The ability to access stores is strongly influenced by transport options and transport infrastructure. The investigated area belongs to a group of specific areas with dispersed settlements. This type of settlement, typical in the mountains of Slovakia and on the border with the Czech Republic, can also be found around the town of Nová Baňa, located in the west of central Slovakia. This area consists of two towns and 12 municipalities and is referred to as the “Novobanská štálová oblasť ”. These specific territories are characterized by a lack of access to fresh and affordable food, which can contribute to social disparities in diet and endanger people's health with various serious diseases. Spatial identification of areas with difficult access to food stores in the Novobanská štálová area has been a pioneering attempt to visualize areas with the highest demand for improvement in food access, and this process may be helpful in identifying other areas with similar characteristics. The methods utilized represent an accessible, transparent and reproducible process for assessing the accessibility of grocery stores. These methods can be used for cost-effective, periodic surveillance and meaningful engagement with communities, retailers and policy makers. The conclusions and results of our research should positively contribute to the growing debate on the inequality of living conditions and marginalization of rural municipalities.
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