The article reviews how economic geography has evolved in Western countries since the 1980s, focusing on the shift towards knowledge-based economies and services. Economic actors are now part of a complex global-local system, leading to changes in research perspectives. The study identifies eight key research areas in Western economic geography, including regional development, globalization, labor, innovation, consumption, finance, and the environment. The research shows that economic geography in the West has seen various turns in perspectives, such as new regionalism and cultural influences. This information can provide insights for economic geographers in China.