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In the tradition of Christaller's central place theory, policy and scientific studies delineate retail markets around predefined central places. Evolutions on the demand and supply side have changed where consumers shop and where stores are located. We use spatial network analysis techniques (Leiden detection algorithm) that allow for a bottom-up approach. The data were sourced from a questionnaire on shopping in Flanders (Belgium). The results show that community detection is able to deal with the geographical complexity of retail. Communities for daily goods shopping remain small, for recurring goods have become very large, even bigger than those for exceptional goods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the globalization and the fragmentation of industrial production processes, the logistics sector, organizing the linkages between different production plants and the market, is growing fast. This results in an increasing demand for suitable new business locations. Previous research has indicated that accessibility is a key factor in the location decision making process. Though the literature on this subject is extensive, little research has been done to quantify the impact of the different dimensions of accessibility on the location decision process of logistics companies. This paper aims to fill this void in the literature by means of a revealed preference study (using a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis) and a stated preference study (using a designed discrete choice experiment) in Flanders (Belgium). The results of the revealed preference study served as input to the design of the choice situations in the stated preference study. In the stated preference study, the respondents were confronted with a series of choice situations described by means of accessibility variables as well as land rent information. An analysis of the resulting data by means of discrete choice modeling revealed that land rent is the most important factor in the location choice of logistics companies in Flanders. Access to a port is the second most important factor, followed by access to a motorway, the location in a business park and an inland navigation terminal, which are all about equally important. Access to a rail terminal plays no significant role in the location choice of logistics companies in Flanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]