{"id":768496,"date":"2025-09-16T06:02:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T13:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/?post_type=wherenext&p=768496"},"modified":"2025-09-16T06:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T13:02:17","slug":"app-store-evolution","status":"publish","type":"wherenext","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/publications\/wherenext\/app-store-evolution","title":{"rendered":"If New App Stores Emerge, App Makers with a Knack for Geography Stand to Gain"},"author":501,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[],"tags":[477032,493200,471991,20762],"department":[488812],"wherenext-category":[],"industry":[],"class_list":["post-768496","wherenext","type-wherenext","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-customer-analysis","tag-digital-business","tag-market-analysis","tag-marketing","department-emerging-technologies"],"acf":{"short_description":"Companies that integrate geographic insight into app development, marketing, and distribution may gain an edge as digital delivery evolves.","pdf":{"host_remotely":false,"file":"","file_url":""},"flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Companies that offer mobile apps could soon have new opportunities to distribute those apps on their own terms."},{"acf_fc_layout":"sidebar","layout":"standard","image_reference":null,"image_reference_figure":"","spotlight_image":null,"section_title":"","spotlight_name":"","position":"Left","content":"Snapshot:<\/strong> Changes in app store rules could open new opportunities for app makers, requiring a better understanding of regional differences. Industry leaders have lessons to share.","snippet":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"In the US, the recently introduced App Store Freedom Act<\/a> aims to reduce the influence of the digital marketplace\u2019s main players by allowing new app stores and payment methods. For some companies, this shift could open new distribution channels as app stores emerge with a focus on specific geographies, brands, or lifestyles. It could also add to the complexity of identifying top customer groups across platforms.\r\n\r\nCompanies that integrate geographic insight into app development, marketing, and distribution will be better equipped to thrive in this new digital marketplace.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s because apps operate in digital spaces, while users live in physical ones. To understand local customer trends and preferences, leaders can look to technologies like AI-enhanced location analysis to identify core markets and target apps to the right people in the right places.\r\n

The Geography of App Store Strategy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nMobile apps generate rich behavioral data on usage patterns, popular features, and purchase habits, giving companies profiles of their best customer segments. By enriching that data\u2014cross-referencing it with demographic<\/a>, lifestyle, and human movement information\u2014business analysts can uncover specific locations where their best customer groups live and shop.\r\n\r\nIndustry-leading companies, including the largest US sporting goods retailer<\/a>, have long relied on this type of location intelligence from geographic information system (GIS) technology to understand customer purchasing habits and successfully sell through local channels.\r\n

[Hear from your peers] Companies that use GIS mapping and analytics capabilities across the enterprise explain how it transforms business planning and operations<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\nPredictive analysis from the AI models in GIS<\/a> helps decision-makers avoid unprofitable outcomes. As more app stores and payment methods become available, companies may face additional fees and development expenses for placing apps in new channels. They can prevent wasted resources by forecasting customer demand and expanding in only the most promising markets.\r\n

Smarter App Marketing Through Spatial Insight<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAs companies plan digital launch strategies, they can also use GIS-powered analysis to determine where to advertise apps in new markets. They can identify the places prospective customers spend time and use digital or out-of-home advertising<\/a> to reach them. They can deliver advertising messages at opportune moments and locations: An ad for a fitness tracking app could appear at a gym, while an ad for a customer loyalty app could appear near a retail storefront.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding customer location also helps app marketers craft hyper-targeted campaigns, like tailoring advertising to local sports affiliations or customs. Such precision builds stronger connections with users and could be key to capturing attention in a regional or lifestyle-oriented app store.\r\n

Navigating the New App Economy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nExpanding into new markets\u2014both digital and geographic\u2014has always come with risk. GIS maps and analytics can help improve the odds of success.\r\n\r\nIf third-party app stores gain traction, user behavior will likely shift in unpredictable ways. Consumers in different regions may gravitate toward niche stores offering better prices, unique features, or localized content. New usage data will emerge, offering fresh opportunities to grow customer bases and improve app features.\r\n\r\nWith a clearer understanding of where and how to engage users, companies can enrich digital strategies with on-the-ground insight and prepare for a changing marketplace."}],"references":null},"yoast_head":"\nApp Store Legislation Could Place a Premium on Geographic Thinking<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In a digital world, messaging to the right audience often begins with where those people are geographically.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/publications\/wherenext\/app-store-evolution\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"If New App Stores Emerge, App Makers with a Knack for Geography Stand to Gain\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In a digital world, messaging to the right audience often begins with where those people are geographically.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/publications\/wherenext\/app-store-evolution\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Esri\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/esrigis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/wherenext-article-app-stores-card-826x465-1.jpg\" \/><meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/wherenext-article-app-stores-card-826x465-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" 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