Measuring retailers’ perceptions of new metro stations inauguration

The choice of locating a retail store in a given area is among the most important decisions that retailers have to make for the long term success of their business. A good location allows for easy access, attracts customers and increases sales. This paper proposes an ex-ante analysis by measuring retailers’ perceptions with respect to the inauguration of new metro stations. Main findings show that the increase of accessibility brought by new interventions in the transit system increases the attractiveness of the area for retailer’s shops location choice. The evaluation of the attitudes of prospective retailers represents original insights into the dynamics of transit networks and the economic viability of local retailers.