“The data of Locatus? They’re only about the retail chains, aren’t they?” These and more assumptions come to our attention every now and then. Which is a shame. Because our database is more extensive than many realize. You can benefit from that too! We list the most common assumptions and misconceptions.
But first…
Locatus opened its business in the Netherlands in 2000. Since 2005, a team of fieldworkers is also active in Belgium. Every day. For the past 20 years, our team has been collecting information about all retail outlets throughout the entire Benelux. This data helps customers to invest in the right retail locations. We collect data in a uniform way, so that you can compare different regions or different years with ease and accuracy. Twenty years of data also ensures that Locatus has a complete overview of the retail trends.
So, how does it really work?
1. Every store is registered in our online database.
Every shop, even that remote shop four blocks away, is included in our database. Every supermarket, wherever it is located, every hardware store, every restaurant, every clothing store, and so on. From Groningen to Oostende, from IJmuiden to Maaseik and from Enschede to Virton. So, not just the well-known city centers of Amsterdam and Antwerp. Thus, our online database is certainly not only aimed at the larger shopping areas.
2. The online database contains retail chains and independent shops.
Our database contains every retail outlet, both retail chains and the self-employed. So our figures are not only from the chains. In Belgium 80% of the retail is run by independent entrepreneurs, in the Netherlands this is 75%.
Take, for example, the shoe industry. This sector has quite a lot of independent entrepreneurs (57.5% of the stores in Belgium and 45.3% in the Netherlands). You can’t make an accurate competitor analysis by just looking at the chain stores.
Or, alternatively, if you want to have a complete picture of the sector mix in a city center of shopping center, you will want to have both chains and independent shops.
3. We update our data based on 4 sources.
Locatus uses 4 sources to continuously update and validate the data. Our fieldworkers are the most important source. On site, they check whether everything in our database is correct. Does the sector in our system correspond with what the shop offers? What is the retail floor space of this shop? Are all retail properties in the database? These are aspects you can only verify on site. Doing so makes Locatus unique.
Every year, our fieldworkers check all shopping areas in the Benelux. But, of course, there are changes in between these visits. Especially in this rapidly changing retail market. That is why we also provide interim updates via desk research, data crawling and data exchange with customers. Nothing enters our system without a double check by our desk researchers. In short: we not only base ourselves on the data of our fieldworkers, but ensure valid data through multiple sources.
4. The database consists of all types of retail, including the catering industry and consumer services.
The confusion is often caused by the use of the word shop. In a shop you buy objects / things. We therefore use the term ‘retail outlet’. This includes every place where something is sold to the consumer, whether it is an object or a service. Our database can be defined accordingly: all retail outlets where something is sold to the consumer. Hence, from fashion shop to hairdresser, from restaurant to petrol station or from shoe shop to supermarket.
5. Locatus has data on footfall, retail locations and catchment areas.
Some customers only know us from our footfall numbers. But, this is just a small part of what we have to offer. For example, we also have information about retail locations. We collect this information ourselves. On top of this, We link our data to mathematical models. Such as the catchment areas and the Retail Risk Index. We offer as much information as possible to help you make well informed decisions about retail locations.
6. You only purchase the data you need.
Access to our database is tailor-made. This makes it affordable for everyone. This is one of the reasons why we have almost 2000 people with a login code to our online database. For most customers a selection of the information is sufficient. They may only need the information from only their industry, or just these 10 cities, or only retail parks. Together we can look at what information is useful and beneficial for you.
7. The choice is yours: interpret the data yourself, or receive an in-depth analysis by our experts.
Not everyone requires the same service. Some of our clients already employ full-time data analysts themselves. Other clients are subscribed to our database Locatus Online but are interested in an analysis or custom report from time to time. And others prefer to leave the analyses in their totality up to us.
Our data experts and helpdesk are always happy to help you. Either with a training for Locatus Online or with a custom analysis. For instance, we carry out network analyses for various retail chains: Where can I open additional retail outlets? Which ones should I move? What locations are best to close? Your own turnover figures do not say everything about the potential of a particular location. Alternatively, for a municipality we can analyze which sectors are underexposed and which retail chains could be of interest to them.
Also by benchmarking with comparable municipalities. These are just a few examples.
Happy to help
Locatus Online maps out the retail offering for you. Literally and figuratively. We will be happy to give you a demo of Locatus Online, or inform you of the possibilities for customized analyses. Call or email us for an appointment.
