To ensure that the choice of a location for a store outlet, branch or facility is the optimal one requires a solid understanding of the elements that define the marketplace or site. Such studies require multiple sets of information such as demographics, census and business information and advanced statistical technologies.

SM Research has multiple resources at its disposal including:

• Residential/business databases
• Census database
• Consumer Profile database
• Geographic Information System
• Large scale printer
• Advanced statistical models (such as multiple regression, gravity model, etc.)

These resources and statistical models can be used for a variety of purposes such as:

• To conduct the location planning (systematically analysing where to put the facilities, branches or store outlets for a chained organization)
• Site selection (which site is the best among the candidate sites)
• Trade area analysis (calibrate the trade area into primary and secondary areas, the consumer/competitor composition in the area, etc.)