Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (February 16, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-32)

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.U.R.P.) University of Adelaide, Department of Architecture, 1978.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, August 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Although diverse methods/models have been studied and applied in general retail location areas, very few actually related to an important trade sector - Cash & Carry/Warehouse Club. Because of the distinguishing characteristics of this sector, the methods and models successfully used in other sectors cannot be simply transferred. To solve this problem, a thorough study has been conducted to compare the characteristics of the sector with available methods/models. Based on the outcome of this study, the regression model has been identified to be a better choice for the sector. Multiple key regression issues, such as model selection, trade area definition, overfilling and multicol linearity, measurement of competitiveness, subjective judgements and quantitative modelling, etc., have been explored in the configuration of a regression model for the sector. The resulting model based on the data from a British Cash & Carry company has achieved the highest R2 and R 2 (adj) when compared to similar research (based on literature search up to the year 2003). With the emergence of Geographic Information System (GIS), a powerful spatial information analysis tool, retail location enters the era of the use of Spatial Decision Support System technology to enhance the decision efficiency. Meanwhile, a dynamic location analysis system is important and necessary to retailers. This is why a Spatial-DSS is proposed and designed in the thesis. The designed system integrates technologies such as Database Management Systems (DBMS), Statistics Software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Decision Support Systems (DSS) and others. Although these technologies have been used in various areas before, integrating them to form a coherent unity is new.

This thesis is concerned with that part of retail location analysis which involves estimating the sales volume potential for a proposed shopping centre. It examines the practised methods and available models employed in the prediction of potential sales volumes. A survey of the literature dealing with techniques of sales volume estimation revealed that the theory behind sales volume estimating was somewhat disjointed, since the models and methods available emphasized different approaches and factors, and ignored or inadequately accounted for others. Furthermore, it was apparent that predictive accuracy was far from satisfactory with the presently available tools of analysis. It was felt that the problem revolved around the assumptions and factors inherent or absent in each model or method. Since estimating a potential sales volume for a proposed centre involved estimating the number of consumers who will patronize that centre, it becomes obvious that an accurate estimate of expected consumer patronage necessitates an understanding of the factors and influences which motivate consumers in their choice of a particular retail outlet in which to purchase desired merchandise. It was felt that by examining these determinants of consumer behaviour, some light could be shed on those factors which are inadequately recognized or represented in the various methods and models examined in this thesis. This thesis, then, first examines the validity and limitations of the many arguments, assumptions, concepts, and factors considered to be important in a discussion of the determinants of consumer patronage behaviour. It then examines the various models and methods in order to a) determine how adequately they recognize and incorporate these arguments, assumptions, concepts, and factors in their formulae or procedures, and b) evaluate their ability to produce theoretically sound, consistent predictions. The models and methods are found to be largely incapable of accurate and consistent predictions owing to their oversimplified and imprecise construction. Inadequately represented consumer patronage factors are presented which, if they were more explicitly recognized, would tend to improve the predictive capabilities of the models and methods. These factors are shown to be additional factors of attraction and resistance which influence the consumer in his choice of a shopping destination. The main conclusion presented is that if these factors were more precisely defined and quantified, and more explicitly recognized in the formulae, either through restructuring the parameters or through expanding the number of variables in the formulae, the descriptive and predictive capabilities of these models and methods might be improved with a corresponding decrease in the necessity for subjective judgment. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-191).