In 1600 London and Amsterdam each had populations of more than 100,000. Colonialism and trade produced a powerful merchant class that helped to create an increasing desire for luxury items. Convenience is the key to consumer markets in the United States, whether it is movie theaters, clothing, or any of hundreds of different types of consumer goods. Products are being delivered to citizens in a more efficient manner, as industries and business firms have decentralized to more closely fit the distribution of population. Malls have sprung up in suburban areas, making the downtown department store obsolete in many smaller cities.
Manufacturers also market their goods directly to customers in factory outlet malls.