Settlement geography tells us that a bridging point becomes a route centre and a trading centre.
 Being a lowest bridging point of a critical prehistoric military route compounds the problem.
 Towns had to built above the flood plain at a pinch point and flat land on the Rochester side of the river was needed for a walled town with castle and cathedral, in effect sterilising the land that side of the river from future major development.
 The land was locked by the construction of the London, Chatham and Dover railway in an embankment and arches.
Small shops grew up around "The Angel" in Strood forming the town centre.
Further small rows were built within the housing along Gun Lane and at Darnley Road.

By 2005 Strood was served by two supermarkets.
 Tesco acquired and demolished Temple Street and bought the freehold of all the other plots on the block for future expansion.
 Safeway in the High Street built on the site of small firms and the Budden and Biggs Brewery.
 Following the takeover by Morrisons the store was closed with a new, larger, site built at the far side of Jane's Creek.
 The town centre store lay empty until autumn 2008 when it was redeveloped by the marginal supermarket retailer Netto and discount chain Wilko (the Netto store has since been remodelled as an Asda following a buyout).

Matalan moved to Strood Retail Park, extending the retail offer toward Jane's Creek.
In 2009 the site was fully redeveloped with another two retail units on either side.
KFC and Paul Simon moved in next to Matalan, extending the retail and leisure offer, and Subway moved into Strood High Street in 2011 giving the centre a more modern focus.
Thompson Travel closed, and the empty unit sat there for around 8 months until Greggs took it over.
Thus we see that the economics and demographics of the area were right for expansion.
 Tesco planned for a brand new store to be built on its acquired land in February 2013, but after a national policy change in March 2013 it announced that it would focus on smaller Express stores.
 The Tesco Store was to include a community hub and library which would be for Medway Council and would have replaced the annex at the previous Civic Centre site in Strood.

An Aldi supermarket also opened on land opposite the Angel Corner (the former site of Strood Market) in November 2012, three years later than originally planned – with locals opposed to the Tuesday and Saturday markets being relocated to the Commercial Road car park.

Strood Retail Park has grown to include Next, Argos, Poundworld, Carpet Right, Matalan and KFC.
The nature of the offer reflects the market's interpretation of the local economy.

The Poundland store opened in the Retail Park in February 2015 in the former Paul Simons store.
Poundland went into administration on 11 June 2018 though administrators are hoping for a rescue package.

In March 2015 It was announced that B&Q would be replaced with a Gym, Cafe and 3 shops.

In January 2016 It was announced that Brantano would close due to going into administration.
 The store subsequently closed on 22 March 2016.

A Poundworld store opened in the Retail Park in May 2016 in the former Brantano store.

In early 2017 it was announced that an M&S Foodhall, B&M and a Maplin would open at the former B&Q site.
It was then later announced in July 2017 that Starbucks Coffee would be opening amongst the new retail units on Strood Retail Park.

In February 2018 It was announced that Maplin would close due to going into administration.

In June 2018 Following a £15 million loan, it was announced that Carpetright was to restructure its Kent stores with the Strood store closing and everything being transferred to the Gillingham store.
Settlement geography tells us that a bridging point becomes a route centre and a trading centre.  Being a lowest bridging point of a critical prehistoric military route compounds the problem.  Towns had to built above the flood plain at a pinch point and flat land on the Rochester side of the river was needed for a walled town with castle and cathedral, in effect sterilising the land that side of the river from future major development.  The land was locked by the construction of the London, Chatham and Dover railway in an embankment and arches. Small shops grew up around "The Angel" in Strood forming the town centre. Further small rows were built within the housing along Gun Lane and at Darnley Road.
By 2005 Strood was served by two supermarkets.  Tesco acquired and demolished Temple Street and bought the freehold of all the other plots on the block for future expansion.  Safeway in the High Street built on the site of small firms and the Budden and Biggs Brewery.  Following the takeover by Morrisons the store was closed with a new, larger, site built at the far side of Jane's Creek.  The town centre store lay empty until autumn 2008 when it was redeveloped by the marginal supermarket retailer Netto and discount chain Wilko (the Netto store has since been remodelled as an Asda following a buyout).
Matalan moved to Strood Retail Park, extending the retail offer toward Jane's Creek. In 2009 the site was fully redeveloped with another two retail units on either side. KFC and Paul Simon moved in next to Matalan, extending the retail and leisure offer, and Subway moved into Strood High Street in 2011 giving the centre a more modern focus. Thompson Travel closed, and the empty unit sat there for around 8 months until Greggs took it over. Thus we see that the economics and demographics of the area were right for expansion.  Tesco planned for a brand new store to be built on its acquired land in February 2013, but after a national policy change in March 2013 it announced that it would focus on smaller Express stores.  The Tesco Store was to include a community hub and library which would be for Medway Council and would have replaced the annex at the previous Civic Centre site in Strood.
An Aldi supermarket also opened on land opposite the Angel Corner (the former site of Strood Market) in November 2012, three years later than originally planned – with locals opposed to the Tuesday and Saturday markets being relocated to the Commercial Road car park.
Strood Retail Park has grown to include Next, Argos, Poundworld, Carpet Right, Matalan and KFC. The nature of the offer reflects the market's interpretation of the local economy.
The Poundland store opened in the Retail Park in February 2015 in the former Paul Simons store. Poundland went into administration on 11 June 2018 though administrators are hoping for a rescue package.
In March 2015 It was announced that B&Q would be replaced with a Gym, Cafe and 3 shops.
In January 2016 It was announced that Brantano would close due to going into administration.  The store subsequently closed on 22 March 2016.
A Poundworld store opened in the Retail Park in May 2016 in the former Brantano store.
In early 2017 it was announced that an M&S Foodhall, B&M and a Maplin would open at the former B&Q site. It was then later announced in July 2017 that Starbucks Coffee would be opening amongst the new retail units on Strood Retail Park.
In February 2018 It was announced that Maplin would close due to going into administration.
In June 2018 Following a £15 million loan, it was announced that Carpetright was to restructure its Kent stores with the Strood store closing and everything being transferred to the Gillingham store.
Strood