Location Evaluation for Convenience Stores

The basis of the convenience store location process begins with an analysis of the community growth, function, and structure. A community is defined by Markin (1971) is an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location . To a great extent, the number and types of convenience stores within a given community will be determined by the nature of the community in question. The size and character of a community is greatly influenced by the size and nature of the industry within it. It affects the location of cities; and shapes and structures the growth pattern of the community by differentiating the community by functional type and occupational composition, as well as affecting social class structure and the basic community character. The higher increase in location costs for rural stores over urban stores further illustrates the aggressive pursuit of rural locations. Also reflecting the rapid increase in costs is the drop of 1.9% in the addition of new stores (see figure 14-1). Operators have begun to remodel existing sites rather than commit funds to the opening of new outlets