Retail

Leverage the power of location

Retailers demand precise location intelligence for sustainable growth

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Retail is a location-driven business

Best-in-class retailers are using mapping and location analytics to inform critical decisions about where to grow their business, to understand customer behavior, and to visualize and manage assets like inventory and supply chain networks. Using the power of retail GIS, analysts can develop web-based maps, infographics, and analysis to inform their colleagues throughout the enterprise about performance and operations.

Unlock the power of location intelligence in retail

Every day, retailers and their partners are inundated with data—signals from shoppers, supply chains, and even products. The true value of this data lies not in its volume, but in the insights it can reveal.

This benchmark report explores how retailers and consumer goods manufacturers drive growth, resilience, and collaboration with location intelligence. Discover how the top performers use geospatial analytics to:

  • Navigate market uncertainty and supply chain disruptions
  • Personalize customer experiences and optimize inventory
  • Foster meaningful collaboration across the retail ecosystem
  • Overcome persistent challenges like “dirty data” and organizational silos

The findings are clear: those who can transform data into intelligence are poised to thrive in the next era of retail.

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Retail industry strategies

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ArcGIS across retail and hospitality

Across every segment of retail and hospitality, location matters. Best-in-class companies use ArcGIS technology to understand their markets, engage with the customers, and provide hyperlocal insights to critical business decisions.

Grocery and convenience

Food is personal. Local insights can inform merchandising strategies to ensure that the right products are in the right place. This not only builds customer loyalty and engagement; it is a competitive advantage that makes your stores more relevant to the communities served.

Home improvement and automotive

Home improvement and automotive retailers serve many types of customers with different needs. With a single platform, business leaders can use ArcGIS to inform assortment ranges, build service areas for wholesale businesses, and support delivery and curbside pickup.

Apparel and soft home goods

Softline retailers need to understand the latest trends, manage complex international supply chains, and curate products for their local customers. ArcGIS provides a single system that leverages geographic data to spot trends in key markets, visualize supply chains, and inform assortments.

Restaurants and services

Food service companies know it's critical to serve the right product in the right location quickly and accurately. Restaurants can use ArcGIS to understand market potential, curate offerings and pricing, and support digital ordering and fulfillment.

Explore Location Analytics for Retail

Professionals at seven of today’s top 10 US retailers rely on Esri technology to make critical decisions about their store networks and markets. Using location-based data and analysis proves valuable in marketing, merchandise planning, supply chain management, and more. With this guide, discover how you can use location analytics to gain a competitive edge in the dynamic retail landscape.

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Upcoming event

Esri Developer & Technology Summit | March 10–13, 2026 | Palm Springs Convention Center | Palm Springs, California

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