Abstract

2020 was a watershed year for retail and ecommerce. Some brands and stores experienced sharp declines in revenue due to the economic downturn and social distancing; others saw demand for their products skyrocket, putting stress on supply chain operations as they struggled to keep up with rising consumer expectations. While the economy is now on the road to recovery, some of the shifts in consumer demand, behavior, and expectations will remain, creating a new normal for retail. 

To adjust to these changes, brands are increasingly turning to data science for answers. Geospatial information like points of interest (POIs), building footprints, and mobility data give retailers and ecommerce brands the tools to analyze how consumers interact with physical store locations, as well as places that may serve as leading indicators of demand to come. But one category of data in particular has been a gamechanger for brands as they adapt to a post-pandemic economy: industrial POIs. Industrial POIs refer to distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities that are critical for supply chain analysis and demand forecasting, especially in a retail landscape increasingly dominated by ecommerce.