3

When people retire, purchasing becomes their main reason for travelling. Released from the spatial and temporal constraints of work, older people are freer to choose where they shop. Their choice of shopping venue could be seen as reflecting their spatial preferences and attachment to the local area. However, as people age, their ability to get from A to B may decline. Far from metropolitan areas, the retail offer is more diffuse, the distances involved greater, and the option to shop locally not always possible. By analysing the diversity of shopping trips made by older people, we highlight their links with the local area. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 69 people aged 66 to 91 living in sparsely populated areas in France. Their purchasing practices reveal a strong attachment to the local area and to nearby shops. This attachment is also reflected in their desire to consume local products. Their preference for the local environment can also represent dwindling interest in urban centres. Lastly, the residential satisfaction of the elderly people we interviewed is linked to their accessibility.