Driving Profitability in Retail Networks – Pitney Bowes MapInfo publishes a critical White Paper on location intelligence for the retail industry

Windsor, 2 June 2008 – Pitney Bowes MapInfo, the leading global provider of location intelligence solutions, today announces the publication of a White Paper that details how location intelligence plays a critical role in site location decision-making for retailers.

Written by Jonathan Clark, Strategic Industry Manager, Retail at Pitney Bowes MapInfo, Driving Profitability in Retail Networks is an incisive insight into the use of predictive analytics in the decision-making process of selecting and developing retail sites and store networks.

Citing the former president of Home Depot, Arthur Blank, “retailers make few decisions that are as permanent (and potentially unforgiving) as selecting store locations.”  Among other retail sages of note, the Paper presents a concise, digestible view of the value of a location intelligent approach to finding new sites and managing store networks.

Outlining the challenges and opportunities faced by retailers today as they fight to establish themselves in highly competitive and often cross-border markets, the White Paper details the key considerations inherent in a location intelligent approach. It talks in context of regulation, internet shopping, diversity and concentration, globalisation and changing customer needs.

“Whilst none of this is rocket science, rarely has the role of location been so clearly articulated and underpinned as the pivotal consideration for every retail decision maker,” said Jonathan Clark.

A seasoned management and strategic planning executive with in-depth experience of high-budget projects within the European retail and retail property sectors, Jonathan Clark’s unparalleled credentials will equip him to deliver this highly relevant, topical and contextual tutorial.

“The ‘where’ is everything in retail,” says Clark.  “Despite the rise of internet shopping, the location of stores is still paramount to retailers and in this increasingly competitive and legislated climate, location intelligence is no longer a ‘nice to have’.

Driving the Profitability in Retail Networks is now posted on the Pitney Bowes MapInfo web site and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://gw.vtrenz.net/?OT8COAX4GK.