Josef Kunc

This study aims to evaluate the spatial distribution and clustering patterns of grocery retail chains in Brno, Czech Republic, focusing on national and multinational stores. By employing Geographic Information Systems and advanced spatial analysis techniques, including the nearest neighbour method, standard deviational ellipse, Kernel density estimation and street network centrality measures, the research identifies significant spatial clustering influenced by population density and urban morphology. Results highlight disparities in spatial organisation, with national chains concentrated in central urban areas and multinational chains showing broader dispersal, particularly along major transportation corridors. Findings reveal a stronger dependency of multinational stores on street network centrality compared to national stores, emphasising the impact of urban connectivity on retail location strategies. These insights contribute to understanding urban retail dynamics and support future planning and development of retail networks.

Slovenská akadémia vied vykonáva špičkový základný výskum, dlhodobý strategický a aplikovaný výskum a vývoj a poskytuje prístup k vedeckej infraštruktúre.

Research background: Generation Z, a consumer base with significant global impact, strongly relies on smart devices, shaping their unique consumption patterns. As this demographic becomes increasingly influential, understanding their shopping behavior is crucial for effective retail marketing strategies. Purpose of the article: This article aims to evaluate the shopping behavior and habits of Generation Z, particularly focusing on the determinants that influence their choices, with a specific emphasis on the role of smart technology. The objective is to uncover insights that explain the relationship between smart device usage and shopping behavior, offering perspectives for retailers aiming to tailor their strategies to the preferences of this demographic. Methods: A survey conducted during the 2019/2020 season involved 1,756 respondents from the Czech Generation Z. To estimate the relationships between smart device usage and shopping behavior, the linear probability and the logit models were employed. Additionally, descriptive statistics provided a comprehensive overview of respondents’ preferences and habits. Findings & value added: The results indicate that while the average time spent on smartphones does not inherently correlate with an increased preference for online shopping, it does enhance the likelihood of engaging in online transactions. Contrary to expectations, brick-and-mortar stores remain competitive and are slightly more preferred than online shops among the Czech young generation. This preference is attributed to the tangible experience of touching products and immersing in the store's ambiance. Furthermore, a relationship emerges between concerns about data security and a reduced frequency of online shopping, emphasizing the need to address such apprehensions in marketing strategies. Overall, these findings provide insights into the nuanced shopping behaviors of Generation Z, with implications that extend beyond regional boundaries, guiding retailers in adapting and optimizing their approaches to meet the needs of this demographic.

Creative hubs are institutional organization of newly emerging creative industries. Economic activities associated with creative industries are very often business-oriented and strongly independent. However, there are often needs for public sector. The aim of paper is to analyze the situation in the Czech Republic and assess the involvement and benefits of the public sector towards the support of these business activities. Methodologically, the work is based on several approaches. Primarily, a database of Czech creative hubs was created as part of desk research. This was followed by quantitative questionnaire survey with representatives of creative hubs and qualitative research in the form of structured interviews with representatives of hubs and the public sector. It was found that without public finances and interest, Czech creative hubs cannot function in the long term. Financial support is therefore the most common form of public support. The main strength of hubs lies in the built community of members, offered services and networking. Conversely, the main weakness is the inability to secure sufficient funds and sponsors. Although public sector cooperation in the Czech Republic is still limited, many public representatives are beginning to realize the benefits of the creative economy and gradually implement it into policies.

The paper explores how Slovak consumers perceive the value of food, sold by different retail formats (especially farmers’ markets and supermarkets), in terms of the quality, price, and healthiness. The aim of this paper is to evaluate consumer perceptions regarding global and local types of retail stores where they buy food most frequently. In the study, the segmentation of consumers by generation, income, and type of residence is provided. From the methodological point of view, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests are used to test hypotheses. According to the sample of respondents (n = 1,004), large-scale stores do not offer healthier and higher-quality food. This perception, however, varies based on the income of the consumer groups. On the other hand, respondents perceive that food sold at farmers’ markets is healthier and of higher quality than food in conventional stores. They do not perceive that food sold at farmers’ markets is cheaper than food in conventional stores.

The paper examines the spatial structure of industrial production in the urban environment of two Central European cities, Wroclaw and Brno, and their changes during the transformation from centrally controlled to capitalist economies. The study used mapping techniques to analyse the spatial distribution of industrial activities, focusing on the representation of industrial sectors and major industrial enterprises in both cities. The research aimed to evaluate the spatial impacts of deindustrialization on the urban environment and subsequently interpret the functional and structural changes in the cities. Standard methodological procedures in regional sciences, including descriptive statistics and ArcGIS visualization, were employed. The results revealed similarities and differences in the transformation of the two cities and indicated the substantial scale of their post-industrial transformation. Major structural changes have occurred since the 1990s. The last two decades have been directed towards creating modern post-industrial environments while retaining the significant and visible industrial heritage.

Former socialist countries still suffer from the absence of planning at a higher administrative level. To develop a metropolitan governance model, strengthen the partner-ship between the hinterland and core cities, and eliminate obstacles stemming from the local government fragmentation, the paper aims to introduce the steps for the institu-tionalization of metropolitan cooperation in the Czech Republic, being demonstrated by the example of the Brno Metropolitan Area (BMA), a leader in the development of in-termunicipal cooperation. The procedure is based on transferable experience from foreign countries and robust surveys among mayors in BMA (carried out in 2020, 175 municipali-ties, 96% response rate) and tens of experts on metropolitan issues. Selected results show that a mutual willingness to create an institution (metropolitan unit) responsible for har-monic metropolitan development, delegate some municipal competencies to a higher level and to contribute to a metropolitan fund was found. The participation of municipalities in the institution is proposed indirectly through voluntary association of municipalities, which would be intermediate between local and metropolitan levels. However, for imple-mentation at the national level, a valid and effective legislative regulation is needed. URL: https://www.gcass.science.upjs.sk/