Market Research

How to Map Competitor Locations Before Opening a New Branch

Map your competition before you sign a lease. Here is the precise method for retail and service businesses.

·5 min read

Why Map First

Picking a location without competitor mapping is gambling. A 2-hour mapping exercise can save you from opening 3 blocks from your biggest competitor.

The Mapping Process

Step 1: Use AI search to find all competitors in target city.

Step 2: Export with addresses to CSV.

Step 3: Import to Google My Maps or batch geocode.

Step 4: Visualise clusters and gaps.

Step 5: Choose your location to maximise distance from strongest competitors.

Decision Rules

Avoid being within 0.5 miles of a 4.5+ star competitor unless you can clearly differentiate. Look for areas with weak/absent competition but real foot traffic.

Get Started

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