The number of shops fell almost 300 in the Q1, but rose more than 400 in the Q2, and increased 780 in the Q3. The number of mom-and-pop shops fell by 1,357 in July-September, showing the market’s increasing concentration. Total business space rose 288,000 square meter in January-September including a 11,000 square meter increase in the Q3, to 17.561 million square meters on September 30. The average space per store rose slightly from 104 square meters at the end of 2005 to 106 square meters. (Mti-Eco)