geoVue, a leading provider of dynamic location optimization software, today announced that Goodwill Industries® International, Inc., has selected its software to help identify optimal locations for Goodwill® retail stores and donation sites in the United States.
Goodwill Industries provides job training and other career services designed to help people find jobs and move up the career ladder. The organization funds those programs primarily through the sale of donations in its retail stores and online at www.shopgoodwill.com.
"Increased donations and retail sales translate to more revenue for our career programs and more people benefiting from those programs," said Linda Chandler, vice president of Operations, Goodwill Industries International. "An effective location intelligence program is an essential tool for growing our retail program so that we can help more people. A committee consisting of retail experts from local Goodwill agencies, our own research staff and an independent consulting firm reviewed the methodologies, software platforms and client support structure of several companies. geoVue was the clear leader and we are pleased to have it as a long-term partner."
geoVue's dynamic location optimization software provides modeling and optimization solutions based on predictive, multi-factor trade areas. geoVue's unique approach to data and model maintenance will provide Goodwill with a localized, real-time geospatial decision-making framework for its site selection strategy.
"geoVue provides us with the sophisticated market planning capabilities that we need to support local Goodwill agencies and their different business models and strategic plans," said Linda Kato, director, Research and Evaluation, Goodwill Industries International. "We are particularly impressed with the ease of use and scalability of the software and flexibility of the analysis."
"We are honored to support Goodwill's important mission of helping people find jobs," said Jim Stone, geoVue's founder and chief development officer, "and are confident that the flexibility of our solutions will help its member organizations execute retail strategies that reflect their unique business models and market dynamics."
geoVue goes beyond simple site selection. It optimizes location networks. Using its innovative solutions and domain expertise, geoVue develops predictive store trade areas that allow clients to decide which markets to enter, expand or exit; how they should optimize store networks within each market; and how to localize marketing and merchandising.
About Goodwill Industries International (www.goodwill.org)
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 184 community-based, independent member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 14 other countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities, low-wage workers and other job seekers by providing education and career services, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support. Through its services, the network helps people become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. In 2007, more than 1 million people benefited from Goodwill's career services.
About geoVue (www.geovue.com)
geoVue is the leading provider of dynamic location optimization software for retailers, restaurants and other real-estate based consumer channels seeking a higher return on capital investment. geoVue's state-of-the-art modeling and optimization solutions help its clients holistically plan store networks and prioritize capital investments based on predictive, multi-factor trade areas. Clients prioritize markets to enter, expand or exit; optimize store networks; and localize marketing and merchandising. geoVue's unique approach to data and model maintenance provides each client with a localized, real-time geospatial decision-making framework configured for its particular customer-centric strategy. geoVue clients "don't leave square footage on the table."
Founded in 1994 and based in Woburn, Mass., the company has more than 150 clients, including Big Lots, Dunkin' Brands, Meineke, Papa Murphy's, Pet Supermarket and REI.
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