Elliott Olson in collaboration with Robert Welch of Synergos Technologies state that the reason they started doing their own estimates is because the conventional methods did not have the small area accuracy that their clients in the petroleum, restaurant, pharmacy grocery, banking and mass merchandising needed to stay ahead of competition. In addition clients doing statistical analysis on their customer and trade areas really needed more accurate population and income data to reduce the static levels in the analysis process.

We really saw the shortcomings of the traditional approaches when we compared the 2000 actual with the 2000 estimates. We knew there had to be a better way and we found it. Growth can now be pinpointed to smaller and more precise areas than has been previously possible. Olson stated, “This dog can hunt.”

Greater accuracy is achieved with a proprietary bottom-up methodology. We start at the lowest level of geography possible-ZIP+4- and move up the ladder of standard US Census Bureau geography. ZIP+4 works well because it is extremely detailed with over 28 million records, covers all major population centers, can be statistically adjusted and can be aggregated into any geography necessary. Since ZIP+4 is specific to a group of houses (typically 4 to 12) or a building, we can literally see structures come “on line” as they are finished being built and occupied or in some cases demolished. We use a series of checks and balances to validate our results by consulting with other state and federal agencies whose data is independently gathered. Since our method and controls stem from entirely different sources we are able to provide the most unbiased estimate possible.

Dakota Worldwide Corporation is the nations foremost authority in market analysis and is the number one provider of market analysis software for the supermarket industry. Synergos Technologies is an Austin Texas based desktop mapping consultancy and developer of software data and demographic tools. STI’s product line includes several innovative desktop-mapping tools created by the company’s developers.

More information on the quarterly updates can be obtained by contacting Dakota World Wide at 1-800-475-4505, or by email at e.olson@dakotaww.com

Dakota Worldwide Corporation
4801 West 81st Street, Suite 105
Minneapolis, MN 55437

In the United States over eleven million live more than a mile from a supermarket. Of those, two million plus do not have access to a vehicle. Over three million live between a half mile and a mile from a supermarket and do not have access to a vehicle.

Limited or no access to nutritional food is a factor in poor health and lower life expectancy. Problems related to obesity, along with diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in food deserts than they are where access to supermarkets, and their abundance of fresh produce and meat, is easier.

Access is not exclusively one of distance. In reality most suburbanites live further than a mile from a supermarket. But access is also one of how that distance must be traversed. If households do not have a car, access is limited. If the walking commute to the supermarket is impeded by a barrier such as a freeway or unsafe walking conditions, the straight line distance of a half mile can easily double or triple.

Who lives in these food deserts? Predominantly residents have incomes of less than twice the government established poverty level. Most are of non-white ethnicity and/or elderly. A minority live in urban pockets recently re-gentrified where the residents do not own automobiles.

The USDA, federal, state, and local governments are becoming increasingly more active in placing oases in these deserts. Three of the most active metropolitan areas committed to reducing the number of food deserts are New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Tax incentives and reduced real estate costs are but two of the enticements to open a supermarket in a food deserts.

The question becomes, what kind of supermarket is needed? More often than not, the answer lies in thinking outside the big box. Big box operators in Minneapolis and Chicago have opened a few successful big boxes but 60,000 square foot or larger locations in food deserts are rare, rare indeed.

What is needed depends on the demographics, mobility, ethnicity, income, language spoken at home and lifestyles of the desert dwellers. The prototype that provides water to the thirsty may be as simple as a farmer’s market, a grocery cooperative, or a 20,000 square foot limited assortment store. Perhaps it is a 30,000 square foot conventional supermarket that is accurately assorted to the community’s preferences.

Dakota Worldwide has been instrumental in placing successful big box supermarkets, neighborhood stores, food cooperatives, and limited assortment stores in food deserts. We welcome every opportunity to counsel so that deserts have oases while still providing store operators a profitable venture.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan area has fewer food deserts than many metropolitan areas. These deserts have been watered by a variety of different supermarket formats. The associates at Dakota Worldwide welcome you to begin your search for the right format here in our metro. Please call to arrange a guided tour that will aid you in thinking outside the big box.

Further information is available by contacting Dakota World Wide on the company’s web site at https://dakotaww.withbrick.com or by calling Elliott W. Olson at 1-800-475-4505, or by email at e.olson@dakotaww.com

Elliott Olson in collaboration with Robert Welch of Synergos Technologies state that the reason they started doing their own estimates is because the conventional methods did not have the small area accuracy that their clients in the petroleum, restaurant, pharmacy grocery, banking and mass merchandising needed to stay ahead of competition. In addition clients doing statistical analysis on their customer and trade areas really needed more accurate population and income data to reduce the static levels in the analysis process.

We really saw the shortcomings of the traditional approaches when we compared the 2000 actual with the 2000 estimates. We knew there had to be a better way and we found it. Growth can now be pinpointed to smaller and more precise areas than has been previously possible. Olson stated, “This dog can hunt.”

Greater accuracy is achieved with a proprietary bottom-up methodology. We start at the lowest level of geography possible-ZIP+4- and move up the ladder of standard US Census Bureau geography. ZIP+4 works well because it is extremely detailed with over 28 million records, covers all major population centers, can be statistically adjusted and can be aggregated into any geography necessary. Since ZIP+4 is specific to a group of houses (typically 4 to 12) or a building, we can literally see structures come “on line” as they are finished being built and occupied or in some cases demolished. We use a series of checks and balances to validate our results by consulting with other state and federal agencies whose data is independently gathered. Since our method and controls stem from entirely different sources we are able to provide the most unbiased estimate possible.

Dakota Worldwide Corporation is the nations foremost authority in market analysis and is the number one provider of market analysis software for the supermarket industry. Synergos Technologies is an Austin Texas based desktop mapping consultancy and developer of software data and demographic tools. STI’s product line includes several innovative desktop-mapping tools created by the company’s developers.

More information on the quarterly updates can be obtained by contacting Dakota World Wide at 1-800-475-4505, or by email at e.olson@dakotaww.com

Dakota Worldwide Corporation
4801 West 81st Street, Suite 105
Minneapolis, MN 55437

800.465.4505 ext 204

800.465.4505

Dakota Worldwide links Locus Professional with Google Maps bringing the full array of maps and aerials to a gravity model..

MINNEAPOLIS (January 2011) – Dakota Worldwide Corporation has successfully completed its trial runs of the new Locus ProView which links Google Maps to their gravity model. Trade areas can now be displayed from Google Map’s map, satellite, hybrid, and terrain views. It is also interactive in adding new placemarks such as retail store locations and other important features.

These enhancements add new levels to understanding the marketplace and can be viewed by any non Locus user by a simple file transfer. Placemarks (facility map keys) can be positioned precisely on a facility using the satellite view with corresponding longitude/latitude values placed into the Locus ProView Facilities tab.

“More apps and display features will be added, but as word leaked out of our testing, some current users of Locus Professional were calling to get this new version out as quickly as possible.” says Elliott Olson, CEO of Dakota Worldwide. “We wanted to quickly get this in the hands of the market analysts across the country as it adds value and cuts cost. While we have continually enhanced Locus since its creation in 1975 and added the ability to segment the market four years ago using lifestyle data, the ability to interface with Google Maps has caused the most buzz. It has also been well received by our foreign clients who do not have the range of maps available to them”.

Olson credits the Dakota market analysts and clients for their inspiring ideas as the Locus program has advanced over the years. Carol Murphy, the system czar since 1998, has been the most innovative and creative force behind gravity modeling since Locus was developed.

Starting January 17th, the Locus ProView download will be available on Dakota Worldwide’s website. It’s a free download for all current users. Check the website monthly for new download updates. Elliott Olson commented that all users will receive via e- mail the week of September 6th, a zip file containing Locus ProView, a “Quick Guide” covering all the new program enhancements, and a sample map temp file to view outside of Locus.

Dakota Worldwide Corporation is a marketing research consulting group comprised of professionals who have spent their careers in the areas of marketing, retail operations, research, training, management, strategic planning, and site location. Many of the key members of the corporation, both management and consultants, have worked closely together as a group for many years. Elliott Olson, the Chairman of Dakota Worldwide, originally founded Retail Systems in 1975.