State Trailed Florida in New Shop Centers

During 1987, 236 shopping centers were built in California, according to the Chicago-based National Research Bureau. Florida was first with 239 centers.

Nationally, 2,145 centers were built, increasing the number by 7.5% over 1986.

However, the average new center was smaller by about 2,000 square feet. Only slightly more than 3% were larger than 400,000 square feet, with 68% under 100,000 square feet.

California, with 3,561, is home to the largest number of shopping centers.