Location comparison method
How to compare two store locations
A fair comparison holds the business model and evidence rules constant. The goal is not to find a universal winner, but to see which location is stronger under the priorities and constraints that matter to the operator.
The questions that decide the location
Start with decision questions, then collect only the evidence that can answer them.
- Are both places evaluated with the same industry, time window and source definitions?
- Which hard constraints disqualify a site before weighted scoring?
- Does the preferred site remain preferred when priorities change?
Comparison frame: Jing'an Temple and Xujiahui
For a café, both areas can show strong transport and mixed demand. A useful comparison must use the same search envelope, walking time, competitor definition and missing-data policy, then test whether the conclusion changes when resident demand, office demand or competition is prioritised.
Remove any place that fails a non-negotiable premises constraint first.
Compare raw facts before weighted scores.
Record which missing input could reverse the ranking.
A repeatable evaluation method
Each stage produces evidence or a clear request for missing information.
Fix one operating brief
Use the same format, audience, opening hours, budget assumptions and unacceptable conditions for both places.
Use identical spatial rules
Keep the walking window, search envelope, POI categories and deduplication method identical.
Compare evidence by category
Review transport, demand proxies, industry fit, competitors and missing premises facts side by side.
Stress-test the priorities
Recalculate under customer, transport and lower-competition scenarios. Flag unstable recommendations.
Run matched fieldwork
Observe both places on comparable days and times, then update the decision with rent and premises facts.
Data sources and their limits
Every source is used for a specific claim. No source is treated as complete by default.
Named businesses, transport stops, residential compounds, offices and amenities in China.
POI records can lag opening or closure events. Field verification is still required.Pedestrian-network routes and 5, 10 and 15-minute walking catchments in China.
A route boundary describes access, not observed footfall or conversion.The authoritative national basemap and address context for Singapore.
Basemap authority does not make every commercial attribute complete or current.Mapped businesses, amenities, buildings and pedestrian roads in Singapore.
Coverage varies by feature type and contributor activity. Zero results never prove zero competition.Observed footfall, frontage, permitted use, utilities, rent and lease terms.
These inputs are premises-specific and cannot be reliably inferred from public map data.Questions people ask before choosing a site
Does a high POI count mean the site will be profitable?
No. POIs are demand and competition proxies. Revenue still depends on rent, frontage, product, price, operations and observed footfall.
Why use a walking catchment instead of a circle?
A street network reflects crossings, barriers and actual paths. A simple radius treats blocked and accessible places as equally close.
Should I compare the final scores only?
No. Review raw facts, hard constraints, missing inputs and scenario stability. A small score difference can be meaningless when important premises facts are missing.
Evaluate the first location
Run one place with a fixed business definition, then repeat the same settings for the second.