International Journal of Construction Management

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Consumer’s welfare in the retail environment:

implication for retail property development
planning and policy

Job Taiwo Gbadegesin, Samson Oluseun Ojekalu, Frances Taiwo Gbadegesin,

Olajumoke Omotola Kelani & Omoniyi S.

To cite this article: Job Taiwo Gbadegesin, Samson Oluseun Ojekalu, Frances Taiwo
Gbadegesin, Olajumoke Omotola Kelani & Omoniyi S. (2021): Consumer’s welfare in the retail
environment: implication for retail property development planning and policy, International Journal
of Construction Management, DOI: 10.1080/15623599.2021.1983105

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2021.1983105

Published online: 04 Oct 2021.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2021.1983105

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Consumer’s welfare in the retail environment: implication for retail property

development planning and policy
Job Taiwo Gbadegesina,b, Samson Oluseun Ojekaluc, Frances Taiwo Gbadegesinb,d, Olajumoke Omotola Kelanie
and Omoniyi S.f
a
Estate Management Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; bCentre for Development Support, University of the Free State,
Blomfontein, South Africa; cDepartment of Estate Management, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria; dEkiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria;
e
Estate Management Department, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria; fDepartment of Architecture, Olabisi Onabanjo University,
Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
In West African commercial cities, research on customers’ well-being, social life, safety and retail environ- Retail property; shopping
ment is underrepresented. This study aims at examining how the environment of shopping malls influen- mall environment;
ces feelings of well-being. Subsequently, the policy way-forward towards ensuring the sustainable well- consumers’ well-being;
ill-being
being of consumers is solicited. Using the mall intercept technique, data were gathered on Tuesdays and
Saturdays of the week. Subsequently, two categories of interviews (physical and telephone) were con-
ducted. While the quantitative data were analysed using regression analysis, we utilized computer-aided
qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS-Atlas. ti) to analyse qualitative (interview) data. The study dis-
covered that the shopping environment contributed to shopper’s well-being. It suggests that shopping
activities contribute to shoppers’ social, leisure and work-life in the study area. However, there are issues
with safety, self-identification, atmosphere and price/promotion from the outcomes. Social, leisure and
work-life of shopper associates with retail environment. More concern is raised on safety (security).
Planning, branding and rethinking strategies can be of help.

Introduction
The well-being of shoppers occupies a central place in the
patronage and sustenance of retail investments (Marshall 2019).
The social fulfilment and citizenry satisfaction on city configur-
ation, including retail developments, define urban residents’ hap-
piness (Potapov et al. 2016). The configuration of retail
properties is underpinned in the collective link of several varia-
bles, including urban planning, destination design, commercial
promotion, development of culture, social cohesiveness and pub-
lic safety (Bernhard et al. 2018). As a result, the need for particu-
lar attention on consumers’ well-being underlies the rationales
for convenience and a safe retail environment while discussing
the concept of placemaking (Marshall 2019).
The importance of placing making; repositioning, reinventing
and restructuring draw significant research attention within the
space of urban design and management discourse in the devel-
oped world (Millington and Ntounis 2017; Parker et al. 2017;
Lindberg et al. 2019). Emerging events and occurrences globally
call for reflection, rethinking and reinventing sense to trigger
regeneration and re-planning in the retail sectors (Oliveira 2015).
The current era of dynamism indicates that for any improvement
to manifest, workable transformative planning and governance is
inevitable, either from the inception, during, or after the devel-
opment cycle (Peel and Parker 2017). Many changes occur in the
real estate and hospitality industries, including retail, tourism,
industrialization and general urban development parlance in the
developed world. For example, environmental concern, urban
renewal, climate change reality and value-added benefits to urban
green spaces trigger the advocacy and emphasis for placemaking
in the contexts of repositioning, planning and branding (Ibem
et al. 2013; Juane
e Cilliers and Timmermans 2013). The well-
being of retail consumers connects with derivable happiness and
love in the shopping mall monumental design and planning
(Swanson 2015; Potapov et al. 2016). In retail and tourism, the
need to stimulate market vitality and viability to enhance
employment at the time of struggling economies necessitate a
revisit on retail development design decision (Hart et al. 2013).
In sub-Saharan Africa, however, economies are yet develop-
ing, and the preceding steps are imperatively germane in the big
cities of West Africa. For instance, Lagos’s attributes as the
nation’s economic and commercial hub are profound in the
expansion of retail property investments and proliferation of
shopping activities, particularly within Ikeja, inland and main-
land. Research indicates that processes of succession and residen-
tial properties being converted to commercial uses (shops and
offices) are now a common practice along streets and main arter-
ial roads (Braimoh and Onishi 2007; Ayotamuno et al. 2010;
Balogun et al. 2011). Buttressing this view, Idoko et al. (2019)
posited that the retail scene is undergoing a radical transform-
ation never seen before, owing to the introduction of cutting-
edge shopping malls hosting worldwide retail shops. To this end,
private property owners are beginning to indicate preference in
converting their blocks of flats to retail properties because of
higher investment return and the transfer of maintenance
responsibilities to the competitive end-users (Iroham et al. 2016).
Among the retail properties, shop properties (shopping malls)
emerge as the current attractive property investment sector in

CONTACT Job Taiwo Gbadegesin prgbadegesin@yahoo.com, 2018766069@ufs.ac.za

ß 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
2 J. T. GBADEGESIN ET AL.
the mega-city of Lagos, probably as a result of the fact that con-
sumer goods are more highly demanded in the highly populated
society than other products (Bello and Ezeokoli 2015). There
exist studies on retailing and retail properties in Nigeria
(Durodola 2007; Babawale and Johnson 2012; Oyewole 2013).
However, empirical and behavioural studies on the relationship
between retail property features and third parties’ attributes
are scarce.
Shopping mall qualities have been linked to both positive and
negative consequences for investment decision-making, planning
and consumer pleasure (Chebat et al. 2010, 2014; Ekici et al.
2018). From a negative standpoint, Bearden and Haws (2012)
asserted that shopping-related ill-being afflicts society, manifest-
ing itself in the form of time, energy and financial costs. In other
words, instead of investing in family, career and work-life, the
resources are invested in social and leisure life. Corroborating
the topicality of shopping and its associated implications, Hauser
(2010) and Skowronski (2010) found that the economic crisis of
2006–2008 was directly and partly caused by consumer expendi-
tures. It has also been linked to the fall in personal savings
(Klein 2010; Pham 2011). Shopping ill-being occurs when shop-
ping activities have a detrimental effect on one’s personal or
societal well-being. Shopping ill-being refers to the idea that
shoppers spend an excessive amount of time, effort and money
on shopping activities, as evidenced by complaints from family
members, acquaintances and coworkers. It suggests that over-
spending on shopping could have a debilitating effect on both
individual shoppers and society in general.
From the positive perspective, shopping well-being deals with
how mall environment (mall image) such as safety, atmosphere,
price promotion, access, self-identification, and cross-category
assortment the quality of life of shoppers in term of family, social,
leisure and work-life influence (El Hedhli et al. 2013). The impres-
sion that shopping improves one’s own and family’s general quality
of life is linked to shopping well-being (Sirgy et al. 2007, 2016).
Evidence shows that mall shopping contributed immensely to
shoppers’ well-being and life satisfaction (El Hedhli et al. 2013).
Ekici et al. (2018) remarked that mall shopping is a necessary and
inevitable part of human lives. This is because of its importance in
meeting social and family needs to provide needed food, mainly
when husband and wife were fully engaged. A shopping mall is
construed to establish retail institutions and public space (Arnold
et al. 2001; Erkip 2003). Consumers usually describe the main fea-
tures of a mall to include several stores, selling an array of prod-
ucts and services, coupled with entertainment and dining options,
located in aisles under a conveniently located, weather-protected
building that offers some facilities, such as toilets and parking
(Bloch et al. 1994).
Previous research has been concentrated on the mall image,
mall environment and mall loyalty with little or no emphasis on
the effect of mall shopping on the shopper’s well-being in
Nigeria. This study, therefore, intends to unravel the research
gap to enhance mall investment and patronage in Lagos.
Review of related literature
Retail property emergence in Lagos, Nigeria
Retail property is a commercially zoned structure that is used
only for business activities, such as the sale of a product rather
than its creation. It encompasses retail establishments, malls,
shopping complexes and shops, all of which coexist together
under the retail umbrella. Scholars have used the term ‘retail
revolution’ to describe the remarkable alteration and moderniza-
tion of the existing retail sector (Al-Mahy 2013). Presently, the
number of shopping malls in Lagos has increased exponentially
to 20, as observed by Idoko et al. (2019). The growth of shop-
ping malls in Nigeria began in 2003, with the construction of
Palms shopping mall in Lagos. Consequently, more shopping
malls have emerged since then and are in operation, and many
others are under construction. These malls’ emergence shifted
consumers’ obsession with shopping in traditional market spaces
to the emerging mall segment.
Characteristics of the shopping mall
The retail environment (or ‘mall image’) is defined by shoppers’
perceptions of a mall’s functional (items, services, parking, facili-
ties, etc.) and psychological (attitudes) (behaviour of sales per-
sonnel, atmospherics, etc.). Based on retailing research, we may
categorize the mall retail environment into access, safety, cross-
category selection, price/promotion, atmospherics and self-identi-
fication factors. These elements may influence a shopper’s feeling
of social, leisure and work life as discussed below.
Ambiance (peace and aesthetics)
Hedonic elements of shopping malls may affect shoppers’ sense
of well-being Its exterior, interior shape, colour and lighting,
store windows, decorations, scent and other aromas, background
music, etc. These elements all directly engage the senses and are
likely to contribute to shopper happiness and well-being. A
pleasant mall encourages shoppers to stay, take their time shop-
ping, and attend leisure, social, and community events. A bad
mall atmosphere will repel rather than attract shoppers (El
Hedhli et al. 2013). That example, shoppers may be reluctant to
shop in a bad mall, and if forced to, they may limit their time
there to shopping only.
Self-identification
Malls are viewed differently by shoppers. Depending on the level
of rich shoppers, some malls may be viewed as stylish or sophis-
ticated. Malls may also be perceived as a hangout by consumers.
The way shoppers view malls may be important in improving
their social well-being. Shoppers choose malls where they may
meet other people like themselves. This process is called ‘self-
image congruence’ (Sirgy and Samli 1985).
Furthermore, quality of life research shows a link between per-
sonal activity expression and subjective well-being. To what extent
does buying at a particular mall represent the shoppers’ identity?
(Waterman et al. 2008). Waterman et al. (2008) claimed that peo-
ple grow their identities best when they recognize their best poten-
tials and engage in activities that help them realize those
potentials. Participating in those activities so promotes sentiments
of self-expression. In a shopping context, this indicates that shop-
pers who feel personal expressiveness (such as self-identification
or self-congruence) when shopping at a mall are more likely to
feel well-being than those who do not (Waterman et al. 2008).
Mall access
Mall access refers to the mall’s location and the distance that the
consumer must travel to shop. ‘My ideal shopping mall, I believe
that Mall X … ’ measured how convenient the mall is located

Table 1. ANOVA of shopping well-being.
Model Sum of squares df Mean square F Sig.
1 Regression 1948.162 6 324.694 235.727 .000b
Residual 443.528 322 1.377
Total 2391.690 328
a
Dependent Variable: well-being.
b
Predictors: (Constant), safety, atmosphere, price promotion, assess, self-identifi-
cation, a cross-category assortment.
from the respondent’s home and place of work. See Table 1
for details.
Price and promotion
The terms ‘price and promotion’ pertain to how shoppers per-
ceive mall prices and the mall pricing structure. Two scale items
with five-point rating scales were devised to assess this aspect of
mall image by eliciting consumers’ overall perception of value
received in relation to the prices charged in the mall and the
price deals available in the mall. For implicit information, see
Appendix 1.
Assortment of cross-category products
Varieties of assortment refer to the extent to which consumers
perceive the variety of items and services supplied by mall
retailers. This construct was quantified using five scale items on
five-point rating scales (see Table 1).
Safety
The perception of security in a shopping mall is that shoppers
will not be subjected to any crisis, abuse, theft, harassment,
assault, or any other type of violence (Fernando 1995). Many
malls, particularly those in low-income areas of cities, have safety
and security difficulties. Teenage gangs terrorize malls by intimi-
dating shoppers. In certain cities, homeless people seek refuge in
malls. Shoppers’ fear of robbery, harassment, and assault.
Concerns regarding security do impact shoppers’ opinions of the
mall and their willingness to purchase there. For example, one
study found that mall safety affects sales (Nicholls 1994).
Shoppers who are confident in their safety visit the mall at vari-
ous hours of the day. Concerns about retail safety reduce con-
sumer, social, leisure and community well-being. Shopping
becomes difficult when shoppers are concerned about their own
and others’ safety. Fear and intimidation prevent shoppers from
socializing or having fun. A dangerous mall cannot be a place
where inhabitants gather and feel connected. This mall has a/no
safety issues, and I’ve heard it’s not safe/know it’s quite safe. The
following statement was used to assess safety: ‘there is/are no
safety concerns at this mall, and I have heard that this mall is
unsafe/I am aware that this mall is really safe’.
Buying health
Shopping well-being in the mall is a concept created by El
Hedhli et al. (2013) to emphasize the positive impact of shopping
on people’s sense of well-being. Shopping well-being stems from
a well-established notion in quality-of-life studies including con-
sumption and satisfaction. Consumption well-being refers to
contentment with several consumer life domains. According to
El Hedhli et al. (2013), shopping in a mall can help meet
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 3
economic, social, esteem and aesthetic demands. A person’s total
life satisfaction may be influenced by their developmental
requirement. Determining one’s sense of well-being or life satis-
faction is another goal of El Hedhli et al. (2013).
Similarly, El Hedhli et al. (2013) investigated the association
between shopping satisfaction and mall loyalty in Canada. Retail
shopping well-being was found to be influenced by the mall’s
functionality, safety, convenience, atmospherics, leisure and iden-
tity constructs. The study also found that shopping satisfaction
increased mall loyalty and favourable word of mouth. This shows
that shopping malls improve quality of life because they allow
shoppers to socialize with their neighbours. In a related study,
Hassan and Abbas (2013) looked at the impact of shopping on
shoppers’ wellbeing in Pakistan. The study indicated that shop-
ping well-being partially influences the mall mixed environment
association.
El Hedhli et al. (2016) explored the relationship between
shopping values and shopping well-being. The study looked into
the impact of shopping happiness on mall perceptions and word-
of-mouth. Only hedonic value increased shopping well-being
favourably, while utilitarian value did not. Shopper happiness
influenced mall attitudes and goodwill. Shafiee and Es-Haghi
(2017) established mall image dimensions and examined how mall
image influences shopping well-being and mall loyalty. The study
looked into the impact of hedonic and utilitarian values on shop-
ping satisfaction. Using structural equation modelling, it was dis-
covered that mall image and HV but not UV affect shopper
satisfaction. The study supported the premise that shopping happi-
ness affects mall loyalty.
Marketing techniques and methods impact client satisfaction
(Sirgy et al. 2007). Consumer happiness is linked to consumer
life domains and sub-domains (El Hedhli et al. 2013). Malls, as a
marketing structure, affect four living domains, according to the
authors. Consumer, leisure, social and community are the
domains mentioned. Regarding the four domains, shopping
affects the quality of life and not only the shopping experience at
the mall (El Hedhli et al. 2013). Papagiannidis et al. (2017)
examined consumer contacts with retailers via computer, mobile
phone and traditional store channels. The study looked at how
shoppers felt after interacting with the three mediums.
According to the findings, socially excluded buyers benefit the
most from all shopping mediums. A study by Ekici et al. (2018)
explored the impact of shopping well-being and ill-health on life
satisfaction. The study found that shopping well-being boosts
shoppers’ life satisfaction.
Physical and social safety in the built environment
The state of security and health is a fundamental right which is
embedded in the 2008 Seoul’s UN declaration as part of Business
and Human Rights Principles to protect peoples. Jain et al.
(2018) reinstated that condition of security is of entrepreneurship
and social responsibilities that a business environment must
endeavour to provide within the context of human right-based
approach. Jain et al. (2018) drew an attention to the lack of
awareness by the business stakeholders and the need to create
value case for protecting and promoting health, security and
well-being of people in a business environment. The emphasis is
that in the context of human right based approach, business
operators and stakeholders are duty-bound to ensure health,
safety and well-being in the environment. Studies on policy for
innovation and quality standards assume topical point of discus-
sion across Europe and Asia to transform construction industry
4 J. T. GBADEGESIN ET AL.
and built environment (Low and Tan 1996; Manseau and Seaden
2003). Designers play critical roles in ensuring a secure and safe
structure and developments (Bong et al. 2015). In sub-Sahara
Africa specifically, Manu et al. (2021) posited that built environ-
ment professionals exhibit low engagement in design for safety
in spite of high awareness level on safety needs. In Malaysia, the
recurrence of hazards in residential buildings triggered the adop-
tion of software application for scheduling (Zolfagharian et al.
2014). Against the backdrop that security management is a chal-
lenge in developing countries of Africa and Asia, Choudhry et al.
(2008) output demonstrated that built environment professionals
need to enhance security through environmental management
systems to reduce site risks. Maiti and Choi (2021) utilized evi-
dence-based scenarios to gather information on recent security
threats, hazards and health-related crises from professionals to
portray lessons for future developments. More emphasis is placed
on store label branding than customers’ safety in the Kenyan
retail environment. Occlusions, background noise, distorted line-
of-sight and low battery power are obstacles to real-time health
and safety technology monitoring (Yang et al. 2020).
Practical and policy approach to improve well-being in
urban spaces
Studies have identified approaches for reforming urban structure
for better well-being. For instance, innovations can be adopted
to improve retail edifices’ spatial characteristics (Daspit and
Zavattaro 2014). In co-creating identities and branding, ‘green’
entrepreneurship indicated an innovative approach adopted in
the Dutch Utrechtse Heuvelrug region (Willemsen and van der
Veen 2014). In Turku, Finland, Lindstedt (2015) suggested that a
pragmatic approach for emergent planning is the key to ensure
transformation. Parker et al. (2017) stated that place manage-
ment helped build a strategic plan for repositioning, reinventing,
rebranding and restructuring. In the UK, fierce resistance, holis-
tic response, collective effort, planning and good governance
were the tools to address the challenges that retail and town cen-
ters faced due to high streets degeneration (Peel and Parker
2017). As stated by Schubert (2016), the physical environment
can be designed and managed to reduce crime rates such as vio-
lent crime on public roads and squares, burglary, pickpocketing,
vehicle theft, and narcotics-related crime by improving social
cohesion and cooperation among residents and community
stakeholders. In Greece, Christou (2017) elaborated on adopting
the bottom-up approach to address mass tourism challenges. In
the short, mid and long-term evaluation of place management in
Russia, Makarov and Illarionov (2020) argued that regional
administration should regulate brand developers, brand creation,
integration and budget within the context of the regional brand
territory brand and marketing of territories.
Research location (study area) and design
Description of the study location
Lagos has been arguably described as the most populous city on
the continent due to its adjoining conurbation. It is one of the
world’s fastest expanding cities and one of the most populous
metropolitan areas (Campbell 2012). Lagos is a megacity, as evi-
denced by its enormous and autonomous financial competence
and highest GDP in Africa, which are ascribed to the continent’s
largest and busiest seaport (Rajewski 1999). Despite its relatively
tiny landmass (about 0.4th) of the entire nation, Lagos’ historical
and economic profiles are far more prosperous than other cities
in the continents (Nwagwu and Oni 2015). Lagos is financially
viable and capable of generating over 75% of its revenues with-
out depending on central statutory allocation (Nwagwu and Oni
2015). Lagos has been transformed to become a sole centre for
companies, complex business and professional services that pro-
vide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the
nation and West Africa (Busari 2009). Lagos, the second-largest
city in Africa, has a population of about 16 million
(Caprio 2012).
The enormous growth in population and potentials for pro-
gressive economic vibrancy is evidenced in the trends of com-
mercial activities such as shopping activities (Campbell 2012).
Lagos’s shopping activities take a new turn despite the struggling
economy (Fatimilehin et al. 2018). Retail supply increased with
the completion of smaller format retail centers, including
Atlantic Mall, Lennox Mall and Trocadero Square, all located in
Lekki. It may be related to the increase in the demand for con-
sumables and new stocks in the market. Novare Lekki Mall
(22,000 m2), Festival Mall (11,000 m2) and Circle Mall (14,876
m2) are the largest shopping malls. The imperative need to
investigate the contexts of connecting between the consumers
and the shopping mall attributes necessitates this study.
Methodology
To achieve the objectives of the paper, a variant of sequential
mixed method which entails quantitative to qualitative
approaches was adopted. Data were obtained from shoppers at
selected shopping malls in Lagos, Nigeria. We considered multi-
tenancy nature and comprehensiveness of service delivery includ-
ing grocery, bar and lounge, restaurant, entertainment, apparel
and accessories. Twelve (12) shopping malls were identified and
were selected for the study. The malls were located at various
locations in Lagos, such as Ikeja, Lekki, Surulere, Yaba, Amuwo
Odofin and Maryland. The managers of the malls were contacted
to obtain permission to survey the shopping malls. Survey data
were collected on Tuesdays and Saturdays of the week. Saturdays
were chosen to be weekends, and it is expected to be a peaked
day for mall patronage, and Tuesday was chosen to capture mall
patrons on weekdays. The mall intercept technique was adopted
to sample shoppers. A mall intercept is a data gathering tech-
nique when researchers stop shoppers at a mall and ask them to
participate in a survey (Rice and Hancock 2005).
At the main entrance of the shopping malls, shoppers were
intercepted for questionnaire administration. The instrument uti-
lized to collect the data is attached as Appendix 1. It emanated
from literature and refined after a preliminary survey in a com-
munity around the study areas. Prior to the data collection, a
pilot survey was conducted. The reliability of measurement scale
was tested using Cronbach alpha. The internal consistency was
0.86 which was above minimum threshold of 0.7 coefficient as
opined by scholar (Tavakol and Dennick 2011). Around 498
shoppers were contacted, but 329 of them completed the ques-
tionnaire representing 66.1% participation. The low response rate
can be attributed to respondents’ reticent nature, as established
by previous studies in the study area (Adebisi et al. 2016). In
measuring mall environment and shopping well-being construct,
the scale was adapted from El Hedhli et al. (2013) and Ekici
et al. (2018). Cross-category assortment, atmosphere, safety and
access construct were adapted from Chebat et al. (2010) and El
Hedhli et al. (2013). The independent variables are the mall
environment such as safety, atmosphere, price promotion, access,
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 5

Figure 1. Visualization Network on Policy Way forward (Atla. ti output).

self-identification and cross-category assortment, while the Table 2. Coefficients of shopping well-being.
dependent variable is the shopping well-being with a five-item Unstandardized coefficients Standardized coefficients
scale contained in Appendix 1. Subsequently, we solicited for
Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.
policy recommendations towards improving consumers’ well-
1 (Constant) 62.274 1.754 35.498 .000
being through a semi-structured interviews with selected manag-
Self-identification 0.361 .047 0.212 7.646 .000
ers and shoppers. We paid attention to the point of saturation in Access 2.077 .098 0.809 21.113 .000
the process of the interview which dictated the number of the Atmosphere 1.062 .051 0.865 20.983 .000
interview respondents (Hennink et al. 2017, 2019), similar in the Price/promotion 0.249 .044 0.183 5.601 .000
Cross-category assortment 1.279 .061 1.015 20.962 .000
methodological approach of Oyewole et al. (2021) and
Safety 0.946 .038 0.821 24.969 .000
Gbadegesin et al. (2021). At the turn of six interviews, we R square 5 .815
noticed a consistent repetition of the recommendations. At such a
Dependent variable: well-being.
point, we concluded the interview. The transcript was coded and
analyzed using ATLA.ti. It is a computer-aided qualitative data
analysis software (CAQDAS). Each element of responses resulted
in the thematic discussion, as the main suggestions for the way variable) as indicated by the R square statistics. It suggests that
forward as indicated in Figure 1 almost 82% of the coefficient of multiple determination of shop-
ping well-being was accounted for by the independent variables,
while the remaining 12% can be attributed to other variables not
Presentation and discussion of results included in the model. The outcome could be linked to the
research area’s bustle, which instills a sense of value in people as
The independent (mall environment) and dependent (shopping a result of their social, professional and recreational lives. This
well-being and ill-being) variables were collapsed into a single further presupposes that mall shopping is an indispensable life-
variable, each using the transform tool in SPSS 24. The data style of Lagos. Such shopping contributes to shoppers’ well-
were analysed using regression analysis. The result of shopping being. Again, from Table 2, it is implicit that access (2.077),
well-being is contained in Tables 1 and 2. cross-category assortment (1.279), and atmosphere (1.062) con-
As presented in Table 1, the ANOVA table showed the struct of mall environment contributed immensely and signifi-
overall model fit of the dependent and independent variable cantly to the shoppers ’ well-being. However, these findings are
with a significant value of .000 and F value of 235.727 with a expected because access, variety of assortment, and atmospheric
95% confidence level. This suggests that the model is fit for condition of the more are significant in attracting shoppers to
regression analysis. Thereafter, the regression coefficient of mall. The findings corroborated the study of Papagiannidis et al.
the mall environment and shopping well-being is contained in (2017) and Ekici et al. (2018) that shopping activities contributed
Table 2. to shoppers’ well-being.
The result showed that the mall environment (independent The regression equation detailing the relationship between
variable) predicts 81.5% of shopping well-being (dependent mall environment and shopping well-being is presented thus:
6 J. T. GBADEGESIN ET AL.

Y ¼ 62:274 þ 0:361x1 þ 2:077x2 þ 1:062x3 þ 0:249x4 þ 1:279x5 and work-life of mall shoppers. This study finding is consistent
with the work of La Barbera and G€ urhan (1997) that materialis-
þ 0:946x6
tic individuals tend to experience lower levels of subjective well-
being than their counterparts. Also, the feeling of being secured
where x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 and x6 stand for: self-identification,
at the more may make shoppers too relaxed at the mall, thereby
access, atmosphere, price promotion, cross-category assortment
leading to excessive spending. The regression equation detailing
and safety. However, it is important to draw attention to the fact
the relationship between the mall environment and shopping ill-
that price/promotion (0.249), self-identification (0.361) and safety
being is presented thus:
are low (0.946). Hence, the outcome calls for policy action, espe-
cially in the aspect of safety (security) of shoppers. Y ¼ 8:626 þ :373x1 þ :172x2 þ :201x3 :114x4 :19x5
Again, as important as shopping well-being is to shoppers, so
þ :289x6
is shopping ill-being. This effect of shopping ill-being is con-
tained in Tables 3 and 4. where x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 and x6 stand for self-identification,
Information contained in Table 3 depicts the overall good- access, atmosphere, price promotion, cross-category assortment
ness-of-fit of the model showing the relationship between the and safety. However, it is equally important to indicate that
independent variable (shopping mall environment) and the safety (0.289), self-identification (0.373), and atmosphere (peace-
dependent variable shopping ill-being. Judging by the signifi- ability) (0.201) are high. Hence, the outcome calls for action,
cance level exhibited by the model (.000) and F value of 8.0. especially in the safety (security) of shoppers.
Again, in Table 4, the coefficient of multiple determination R2
accounted for .130. It suggests that the independent variable
(mall environment) explained only 13% of the dependent vari- Policy implication and recommendations
able shopping ill-being. It can, however, be observed that the
Following the regression analysis outcomes, the concern about
remaining 87% could be attributed to other factors not included
the safety, self-identification and atmosphere defines the state of
in the model. It implied that shopping activities did not contrib-
security for shoppers (both residents and tourists). Structured
ute substantially to the shoppers’ ill-being, whether in social,
interviews conducted on selected managers and shoppers high-
family and leisure life. Given these indices, it could be observed
light the policy way forward to address the state-of-art security
that shopping is beneficial to shoppers. The coefficient of the
of lives. Figure 1 presents the visualization network, while Table
regression analysis is presented in Table 4.
5 highlights the main policy points. Eleven codes were generated
Implicit in Table 4 is the mall environment’s contribution
from the transcript after attaining saturation point (Braun and
(independent variable) to the dependent variable (shopping ill-
Clarke 2021; Hennink et al. 2017, 2019).
being). The study found that self-identification (0.373), safety
Implicit in Table 5 and Figure 1 are four main dimensions of
(0.289), and atmospheric condition of the mall (0.201) contrib-
policy implications centred on security (safety), planning, gov-
uted substantially and significantly to shopping ill-being. The
ernance and welcoming atmosphere for shoppers. It implies that
study further found an inverse relationship between price pro-
shoppers can optimally harness pleasure in shopping provided
motion (0.114) and cross-category assortment (0.199) con-
adequate provision can be made in respect of the thresholds. On
struct of the mall environment and shopping ill- being. It
safety, for example;
indicated that a unit increase in these constructs would result in
an equivalent decrease in the shopping ill-being. It is, however,
expected because, for instance, a reduction in prices of goods in Table 4. Coefficients multiple regression (Mall ill-being).
the mall may lead to overspending, which may affect the family Unstandardized coefficients Standardized coefficients
Model B Std. Error Beta t Sig.
Table 3. ANOVAa of mall ill-being. 1 (Constant) 8.626 2.584 3.339 .001
Model Sum of squares df Mean square F Sig. Self-identification .373 .070 .321 5.353 .000
Access .172 .145 .098 1.187 .236
1 Regression 143.400 6 23.900 8.000 .000b Atmosphere .201 .075 .240 2.691 .007
Residual 961.980 322 2.988 Price promotion .114 .065 .124 1.750 .081
Total 1105.380 328 Cross-category assortment .199 .090 .232 2.212 .028
a
Dependent variable: ill-being. Safety .289 .056 .369 5.172 .000
b
Predictors: (Constant), safety, atmosphere, price promotion, access, self-identifi- R square 5 .130
cation and cross-category-assortment. a
Dependent variable: Ill-being.

Table 5. A snapshot of policy recommendations.

Code Grounded Code groups
Appropriate plan on safety 3 Effective security plan
Effective spatial planning
Beefing up security with gadgets 2 Effective security plan
Branding and planning 1 Effective spatial planning
Functional governance 2 Good governance
Government intervention 2 Government intervention
Maintenance plan 3 Environmental maintenance plan
Make shopping welcoming to all 1 Creating a welcoming mall
Planning on design 1 Effective spatial planning
Policing 5 Regular policing
The atmosphere should reflect that of peace 2 Environmental maintenance plan
Creating a welcoming mall
Use of private security patrol should be upgraded 3 Regular policing

6:2 I am much more concerned about safety. That is what
retailers should … 8:3 There should be no hideout for hoodlum
and homeless around the mall. … 11:1 For security purposes,
no one should be allowed to lobby around shopping ma …
The expression also connects with planning assertion;
6:1 Well-being of customers including safety, self-identification
(as you … 8:2 Through such, environment can be maintained
and sustained in terms of aesthetics … 11:2 Maintenance
department to be made committed to the ornamentation
And capped it up on governance;
10:1 Our constitution and other legal frameworks should be
revisited … 10:2 The reformed laws will address environmental
issues, atmosphere, self-identification …
Thus, it serves as the retail investment administration prem-
ises, similar to (Lindstedt 2015; Schubert 2016; Peel and Parker
2017; Marshall 2019).
Against the backdrop, prospective investors in retail proper-
ties can lean on the blueprint to ensure a safe and sustainable
retail environment in Africa’s emerging markets.
Conclusion
The study looked at the relationship between shopping malls and
customer security and well-being in Lagos. The study found that
shopping activities had both positive and negative implications
for shoppers. On the one hand, the study discovered that the
shopping environment contributed significantly to shoppers’
well-being. It suggests that shopping activities contribute to the
social, leisure, and work-life of shoppers in the study area.
Through a subsequent adoption of mixed method, the two
dimensions of consumers’ welfare (well-being and ill-being) are
explored. Although the issues of security have been known in
Africa, it ascertained the connection it conveys to the retail
environment. This study can establish that patronage of shop-
ping complexes is confronted with salient challenges. Therefore,
the mall investors and managers must be more proactive in
ensuring the mall environment is appealing, safe, and comfort-
able. The mall investor and managers must ensure that mall
environment constructs such as self-identification, access, atmos-
phere, price promotion, cross-category assortment and safety
must be enhanced to ensure continuous mall patronage.
Through a series of qualitative approaches, possible solutions
were solicited. Specifically, the mall’s safety must be prioritized
as it implies mall patronage and loyalty, as indicated in the rec-
ommendations section. The novelty is the repositioning and
restructuring insight that this paper offers on retail property
development plans towards ensuring sustaining safety, healthy
and social commercial cities. Consumers’ happiness and love
while shopping is normatively expected to be offered from
retail facilities
Recommendation for further studies
This study is limited to shop property, an aspect of retail and
commercial properties. Frontier of study should be extended to
cover other sectors of property investments. It can also be
extended to cover more cities in Africa to unravel comparative
experience of safety in African shopping centers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 7
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 9

Appendix 1 (measurement scale)

Appendix 1: Operationalisation of mall environment, shopping well-being, and ill being Self-identification Construct (SI).
Identifying with the people who shop at the mall
A typical person who comes to this mall matches how I see myself The image of this mall is not highly consistent with my image Access Construct (ACC)
The mall is far away from my home
The location of this mall from my home is very convenient for me The location of this mall from a place of work is convenient for me The atmosphere of this mall is
stimulating
The atmosphere of this mall is entertaining The atmosphere of this mall is depressing The atmosphere of this mall is colourful Price/Promotion Construct (PP)
Competitive price
Good value for money Many price cuts areallowed
Cross-category Assortment Construct (CCA) An assortment of products and services is minimal There are presence well-stocked stores
Having variety in specialty stores
This mall does not need more variety of specialty stores This mall does not lack department stores
Safety
There is a/is no safety problem at this mall
I heard that this mall is not safe/I know that this mall is very safe
Shopping Well-being Construct (SWB)
Shopping mall contributes much to my family well-being
Shopping mall plays a vital role in my leisure well-being
Shopping mall plays an important role in enhancing my quality of life
Shopping mall satisfies my overall shopping needs
Shopping mall plays a vital role in my social well-being
Shopping Ill-being Construct (SIB)Spending too much time shopping and not enough time with the family Spending too much time shopping and not enough time for
work Spending too much money shopping creating havoc on financial life Spending too much energy shopping and not enough energy for family Spend much money
on shopping causing a great deal of family strife
Adapted from Chebat et al. (2010), El Hedhli et al. (2013) and Ekici et al. (2018).