Location Analysis for Retail Property Investment -A GIS Based Approach: Case Study of Blantyre City

Abstract

Although there is an increased retail property investment interest, location analysis for retail outlets is inadequate. Site selection is the most significantprocess in retail property investment decision making. Duetoitscomplexity,locationdeterminationcancontributetothesuccessorfailure of real estate investment. Optimal location is relevant in a competitive market as it contributes to guaranteed increased returns. Real estate investors can evaluate a set of potential sitesforlocatinganewretailoutlet.Thisstudy aimedatanalyzing howGIScan contribute to the success of retail property investment positioning through spatial data analysis. Thestudy used GIS application to find optimal location for retail property investment in Blantyre City, Malawi. The criteria for finding suitable sites were demographics, transportation and competiveness. The findings presented the applicability, efficiency and productivity of using GIS in location analysis. Based on the findings GIS can helpinidentifyingoptimallocationthroughmaximizing retail store patronage thereby increasing retail investment return.