2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3005 Retail Location Planning

20 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Prof Graham Clarke
Email: g.p.clarke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

This module is approved as a skills discovery module

Module summary

Module summary: This module builds on many years of applied retail location modelling at the University of Leeds with a range of international blue-chip clients. It starts with building an understanding of what retailers require from store location research and how it can benefit their businesses. The latest retail trends are explored in relation to consequences for store location followed by a consideration of how retail demand can be measured at the small-area level. The module explores how different retailers have used store location research, from the evaluation of single regions for expansion to the optimisation of entire networks. Case studies include work undertaken in collaboration with Ford, Toyota, Barclays Bank, W.H.Smiths, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. A kitbag of different techniques is introduced and appraised (all implemented through the medium of GIS) before concentrating on spatial interaction models. These are built and calibrated for each student’s home town in the practical classes using various big data sets available from the Leeds ESRC Consumer Data Research Centre. The potential of big data sets are further explored in the lectures followed by a detailed consideration of how retailers may optimise the future mix of online and face to face retailing.

Objectives

On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- knowledge of retail trends in the UK as related to store location planning
- a critical understanding of the use of spatial models in retail location analysis and GIS for store location planning
- knowledge of how to assess the impact of e-commerce for site location and the dynamics of small-area retail demand
- skills in building the data sets to enable a suite of store location models to be run and evaluated using appropriate software
- a critical understanding of the role of optimisation in retail planning.
- knowledge of the potential of big data sets for producing richer spatial models

Learning outcomes
- Broad understanding of trends in retail location planning
- Expertise in retail demand estimation by small-area level
- Understanding of the use of spatial models in retail location analysis and site location
- Expertise in the use of geographical information system for data storage, mapping and analysis

Skills outcomes
Subject specific skills:
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A9 The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions
C3 Employ a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, water chemistry, etc)
D3 Apply numerical and computational skills to geographical information
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)

Syllabus

The module syllabus will be drawn from the following indicative themes and topics:

Introduction to retail location planning
Retail demand estimation
Review of retail location methods
Spatial interaction models
Model calibration
Use of models/optimisation/what-if analysis
Model development
Big data and location analysis
E-commerce and location analysis

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	14	1.00	14.00
Practical	7	2.00	14.00
Independent online learning hours			86.00
Private study hours			86.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be provided with a reading list and will be expected to demonstrate evidence of reading in project work and examination.
They will also be expected to critique selected articles.
Students will also be expected to have knowledge/experience of various online information systems and web sites
The project will require independent study and use of MapInfo, Excel and other software in private study time.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Lectures will be split into discrete shorter blocks and after each block there will be opportunity for questions and feedback
The practicals will be a means of monitoring progress throughout the module. The practicals also allow us to monitor progress and provide instant feedback to students in relation to the development of their projects. Students will be encouraged to ask for feedback on the relationship between material in lectures and tasks required in the practicals.
A series of on-line questions will be made available on Minerva after each lecture to check progress in understanding key material and provide instant feedback

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project report	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	1 hr 30 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:56:06

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