Claudia Wong

This study examined the synergy between grocery shopping behaviours, retail store distribution, and socio-economic factors in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), focusing on post-pandemic dynamics. Our methodology employed data collection, GIA analysis, and visualization techniques to decode the spatial intricacies of shopping preferences and retail strategies. Through a GTA-wide survey of 158 respondents, this research uncovered diverse grocery shopping patterns. Geospatial data on chained grocery stores and Walmart’s distribution add context. Spatial distribution and utilization maps spotlighted strategic store clustering and evolving consumer preferences. Hotspot analysis maps identified retail clusters, while spatial autocorrelation revealed clustering tendencies in delivery choices. Our findings guided targeted marketing and resource allocation, although we acknowledged sample size limitations and self-reporting bias. This study laid the foundation for future research on consumer motivations and presented a roadmap for retailers in the dynamic retail landscape.
Keywords: grocery shopping, retail strategy, geomarketing, spatial distribution, utilization pattern, post-pandemic, GTA, omnichannel