How do I measure demand potential?
Combine LandScan and WorldPop with household income and spending power to compare prospective retail sites. Population density is the first item on the Accruent 'Retail Site Selection Checklist' for good reason: retail centers thrive when underlying demographics are good. It is imperative to get these calculations correct.

Can I analyze drive-time and walk-time coverage?
Yes. Use isochrones for accurate travel-time boundaries: determine population density within a certain travel-time of your candidate retail sites to identify priority locations.

How do I evaluate competition?
Overlay Google Places POIs to identify retailers, anchors, and demand drivers: narrow down those prospective locations that provide the best blend of competitive advantages for your retail site.

What about cannibalization between stores?
Model overlap between trade areas to avoid over-saturation. Create buffers or drive-time boundaries to establish 'exclusion zones' in your prospective retail site map.

How do lease terms and co-tenancy affect decisions?
Map anchors and tenant clusters within range of your prospective retail site to support lease negotiations and co-tenancy clauses.

What about franchise disclosure documents (FDDs)?
Exports from PopEx - shapefiles, ZIP lists, reports - provide a defensible basis for disclosure.

How do urban vs suburban sites differ?
Urban markets rely on pedestrian and transit access; suburban on vehicles and parking. PopEx supports both with global coverage of high resolution population data. If you intend to expand retail operations internationally, PopEx is the ideal location for your retail site selection analyses.

Healthcare site selection is particularly sensitive to density concerns: healthcare service provision relies on precise demographic coverage targets, and investment costs are high. Precise demographic maps are essential to ensure equitable coverage and ROI.

How do international markets compare?
Different norms apply, but LandScan and WorldPop baselines create a consistent framework worldwide.

How current is the data?
Census tables may lag 5-10 years. PopEx refreshes annually with projections.

How do lease renewals affect long-term viability?
Territories should account for lease renewal timelines and landlord flexibility. PopEx helps teams assess whether long-term demographics support renewal decisions.

What if anchor tenants in a mall change?
Anchor churn can dramatically impact performance. POI overlays show current anchors and competitive shifts, enabling proactive risk management. Create a regional 'retail site map' with locations of your existing sites, competitor and ally sites; as competitors or allies update, reconsider your retail site positioning to best maximize competitive advantages.

How does omnichannel retailing affect site selection?
Most retail sites must now support buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) and last-mile delivery. Demographic and POI data provide insight into whether trade areas align with these needs.

How do seasonal patterns affect site choice?
Retail performance often spikes around seasonal events or holidays. PopEx baselines help quantify whether the underlying demographics support sustainable year-round trade, beyond temporary peaks.

Can I test co-tenancy scenarios in PopEx?
Yes. By overlaying Google Places POIs, teams can simulate the impact of new anchors, complementary tenants, or competitor exits. This helps validate lease negotiations and co-tenancy clauses.