GapMaps Impact Analysis to Transform Location Planning
Location intelligence specialists, GapMaps, today announced the launch of Impact Analysis, a new tool within GapMaps Live designed to help brands evaluate the potential effects of new physical locations on their existing networks.
Industries set to benefit from the actionable insights offered by Impact Analysis include quick-service restaurants, retail, fitness centres and gyms, and lifestyle and entertainment venues.
“When assessing potential locations for new premises, Impact Analysis accounts for critical external factors such as road networks, physical barriers, drive-time routes, and customer trip patterns. This comprehensive evaluation equips network planners with detailed projections of how a potential location may influence existing sites, empowering them to make informed, strategic decisions and avoid cannibalisation.
Anthony Villanti, GapMaps Managing Director and Founder, brings more than 30 years’ experience in network planning. He explains the significant benefits Impact Analysis can have in assessing new locations.
“Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the importance of understanding customer travel patterns for developing sustainable network strategies.”
“That’s why Impact Analysis is a game-changer, removing time-consuming manual processes and offering businesses the ability to quickly estimate how a new location may affect their existing network.”
“For retailers, franchise owners and network planners, location decisions are critical to success. In such competitive markets, there’s no room for suboptimal choices, which can have long-term repercussions on profitability, often making recovery a challenge.”
How Impact Analysis Works
The GapMaps Impact Analysis tool uses mobile device data to simulate customer journeys to current locations, enabling network planners to evaluate the accessibility of new locations for existing customers. Key features include:
• Understand Impact: Quantify the effect a new site may have on nearby established locations.
• Scenario Planning: Model potential sites to assess how each could impact the network.
• Visualise Customer Journeys: Gain insights into customer origins and destinations using mobile device data, with convenience lines plotted between current and proposed sites.
• Manual Verification: Enhance data reliability through manual examination of routes, customer flows, and projections.
“Impact Analysis is Ideal for businesses with multiple physical locations that are expanding their footprint, offering essential insights for maximising profitability and optimising network strategies,” adds Villanti.
