It's not uncommon for a company's urban network to become fragmented, sometimes as a result of growth in retail outlets throughout a given region's commercial and/or residential regions. This can have the following consequences:

• If small convenience stores close down without being replaced, the surrounding population will likely be underserved. Many of these individuals will no longer be able to reach a convenience store location by foot.
• Service to residential areas can be significantly affected as a result.
• This causes a reduction in the quality of life for residents of these regions.
• Because these residents can no longer reach a convenience store by foot, car use will increase, resulting in more congested roads. 

Ensure full coverage and service for your chosen retail area

Retail outlets abandoned as a result of the centralizing tendency in the retail world can often be difficult to re-occupy, particularly because these structures were frequently designed for a specific use. These unoccupied retail locations can exert a negative effect on the regions in which they are located. When planning your retail location, it's therefore essential to look ahead and proceed in such a way that ensures the project's sustainability.

In addition to taking actual and potential population fluctuations into account, GfK's convenience store concept studies define and identify potentially problematic areas, allowing detrimental scenarios to be addressed and remedied. For example, we can identify segments of the population that struggle with mobility issues and design a convenience store concept that takes this into account.