Location planning in charity retailing

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the particular conditions informing locational decision making and related network planning in the charity retail sector. Its purpose is to identify both differences and commonalities with related debates that have been focussed very largely on the grocery sector and the superstore format. Its wider purpose is to contribute to the growing literature on charity retailing which has not considered this aspect of retail management in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Details the particularities of charity retailing locational decision making and network planning through a detailed case‐study consideration of a hospice charity's emerging retail store network.

Findings

Finds that existing conceptual and practical considerations pertaining to locational decision making in retailing require a nuanced re‐revaluation in relation to the locational and network planning of charity retailers. Identifies the importance of supply chain (stock donators) and workforce factors together with the customer demand in informing locational decision making.

Originality/value

Detailed academic consideration of location planning in the charity shop sector is absent in the literature. The paper addresses this.

Citation

Alexander, A., Cryer, D. and Wood, S. (2008), "Location planning in charity retailing", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 36 No. 7, pp. 536-550. https://doi.org/10.1108/09590550810880570