A Location Intelligent Tool for Finding an Optimal Location for a Retail Pharmacy using Geographic Information Systems

The Pharmacy retail sector in India is witnessing unparalleled growth. Unmatched demographics, rising income levels, shifting lifestyles and changing aspirations of the burgeoning middle class has unleashed a pharmacy retail revolution in the country. Fresh Pharmacy retail geographic's are emerging, innovative formats are being introduced and retailers are tapping into new customer segments with prolific product offerings. The pharmacy retail trade in India, which is highly fragmented and dominated by small chemists, is seeing entry of big industrial groups like Ranbaxy, Reliance Retail, etc. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is used today at retail planning application studies such as the analysis of business results, market potentials and new retail outlet location. GIS tool offer a strong support to this process. This paper presents the use of GIS as a tool in determining the optimal location to open a new retail pharmacy in Tumkur city in India.