Identify and Prioritize the Factors Affecting the Optimal Location Selection of Retail Chain Stores Using Geomarketing

Undetermined framework and the lack of planning in locating retail stores have caused most of the stores not to be located based on existing standards. Therefore, this process is more optional than scientific work based on knowledge. On the other hand, the methods applied by authorities to locate stores are often traditional and do not follow a scientific logic. These methods are more empirical and subjective, some consequences of which are difficult in accessing customers and reduction in sales and profitability. The purpose of the current study is to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the optimal location of retail stores using a geo-marketing approach. The analytical method used in this paper is a combination of the Delphi fuzzy method and the analytic hierarchical process. The statistical population consisted of experts and elites in the retail industry of Tehran in 2019. In this study, first, the necessity of addressing retail store location is explained. Next, the most significant components of retail store location are presented. The results indicate that the main factors influencing the optimal location of retail stores in order of importance are: population structure, trade zone ,and customer characteristics, competitive conditions, ease of access to stores, physical and location features of the store, customers economical factors, market attractiveness, performance indicators, determining store expenditures/ economical factor, the locational attraction of store, and saturation level. Finally, it can be said that macro research findings provide an approach to the optimal location of retail stores.