Development of retail network on the example of three regional towns comparison in West Slovakia

The main aim of this paper is to show the specifics of the retail network of three regional towns in the Slovak Republic—Nitra, Trnava and Žilina, and answer the following question: What value of the Population to the Admissible Floor Space (PAFS) indicator will cause saturation of the retail network? The situation of the retail network of the examined towns from 2015 was compared by using the standard methods based on the indicators from detailed passportisation of the retail facilities in the terrain. The indicators are: amount and assortment structure of the stores, sales area size, PAFS and concentration index at the level of the town districts. Based on the result of the comparison, regularities of space structure formation of the retail amenities of the mentioned towns in Slovakia were identified and their features were pointed out. According to the survey results, the size of sales area is the clear indicator of the retail network evaluation. The sales area size defines the following changes in the best detail, and it appears as the most suitable tool for the analysis. However, in this case, more thorough and detailed passportation is needed. Saturation stage was identified only in Nitra, where it was identified after the year 2010. This process has not occurred yet in other two region towns. Quantitatively new stage called: “The stage gradually flowing “purification” of the retail network from the excessive sales area” is expected to start in the Nitra town.