Diverse functions of convenience stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area: classification with sales analysis of POS data, and spatial implications

Abstract

Analysis in this study is based on the point-of-sales (POS) data supplied by one of the largest convenience store chains. Data from 99 stores around the Tokyo metropolitan area were available for this study: the chain operates several hundred stores in the same area. Classification of store types is proposed through analysis of diversity in the pattern of sales by commodity group. Based on the proposed store types, a systematic interpretation is given for the correlation between diversity in the pattern of sales and that in store locations. The result of factor analysis by commodity group suggests five factors to explain the sales patterns of convenience stores: non-neighbor customer factor, indicating purchases by non-neighbors; confectionery and soft drink factor; replacement factor, indicating articles usually purchased at supermarkets, etc; household article factor; and alcoholic beverage factor. According to the result of cluster analysis on each factor loading, stores are classified into seven types.