Introduction

This introduction reflects upon the evolving nature of retail, particularly in relation to the urban context. While the geographies of retailing have long been a subject of historical debate, current debates extend beyond traditional geographical perspectives, addressing themes such as consumption, digitalization, and urban governance. This introduction discusses the ongoing changes in contemporary retail landscapes and consumption practices, focusing on the digitalization or urban retail and consumption as both a threat and an opportunity, while also highlighting the new forms of urban governance that attempt to maintain the vitality of urban consumption districts. We reflect on these developments alongside the chapters that comprise this volume, each seeking to synthesize key areas of research focused on the interconnections between the city, retail, and consumption.