How to use Google street view for a time-lapse data collection methodology: potential uses for retailing

Abstract

Finding the optimal location is a relevant strategic decision for retailers. The classic theories of retail location offer complementary perspectives, and later models include new variables, although they present methodological problems, these methodologies are static in time. Google Street View (GSV) allows extending the analysis of predictive models to different fields by a time-lapse collection data offering new opportunities to research and providing dynamic information. The development of a customized methodology, incorporating the time-lapse technique for practical applications, is the main contribution of this research, since there is almost no research on this topic.