ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the implications of information technology (IT) for retail analysis and forecasting, assuming some major advances in the near future in the use of IT by major companies. These advances use technology which already exists in prototype form at least, but which may require substantial investment of capital and/or training resources to be used effectively. The interfaces between developments in IT, retailing strategies and consumer behaviour are attracting an increasing amount of attention in the marketing and geography literature. Most of this literature either summarises recent developments or speculates about future developments and their economic and social impacts. The view is taken that the implications of IT in retailing and consumer behaviour should not be examined simply in the context of an abstracted discussion of social futures. Rather, a more positive view emphasising the opportunities that a more extensive use of IT would allow for market analysis and store-location strategy is presented.
