Commercial diagnostics

To help Walloon municipalities draw up their planning tools (SDC, SDP, SOL, GCU), we are providing a commercial diagnostic tool. This dual diagnostic aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the state of commerce in Wallonia, at both regional and local level.

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Commissioned by the former Minister for the Economy, this analysis provides a detailed overview of the retail sector in Wallonia at two levels:

  • Regional, to understand the major trends;
  • Local, with detailed sheets for each commune.

What is the purpose of a commercial analysis?

The analysis is a decision-making aid for local authorities, designed to incorporate an analysis of retail activity into their planning documents.

In particular, it makes it possible to :

  • Characterise the retail offer (location, type, density)
  • Identify central locations and areas with commercial challenges
  • Gain a better understanding of household purchasing behaviour
  • Visualise the phenomenon of shoplifting

This tool can be used directly when drawing up or updating :

  • Municipal Development Scheme (SDC)
  • Multi-municipal development plan (SDP)
  • Local Orientation Scheme (SOL)
  • Communal Town Planning Guide (GCU)

It enables these documents to be based on a factual analysis of the area while respecting the main regional principles.

Regional commercial analysis

The regional commercial analysis provides an overview of the commercial situation in Wallonia, including quantitative and qualitative analyses. It summarises the current situation and challenges for commerce in Wallonia, based on the Regional Development Perspective. To remain competitive, Wallonia needs to strengthen its local assets, adopt a sustainable approach and adapt its retail sector to new consumer expectations. Lastly, the report puts forward general recommendations to ensure a balanced retail mix across the region.

Local commercial analysis

In the local commercial analysis sheets, you'll find a detailed, quantified analysis of the shops in your locality. These sheets provide essential data such as the total number of shops, the sales area available, and the breakdown of shops by purchasing category. They also highlight the links with the Schéma de Développement du Territoire (SDT), providing a perspective in line with regional guidelines.

The fact sheets present specific information on retail premises by trading area, distinguishing between active and vacant premises, and detailing their distribution by sales area and purchasing category. You will also find an analysis of spatial behaviour by purchasing category, providing a better understanding of local retail dynamics.

Finally, these sheets include conclusions with a description of the current retail situation and points to watch out for. They establish a link with the SDT measures and offer an analysis by shopping area, covering the food, light shopping and heavy shopping sectors. This information is crucial for assessing and optimising your local authority's commercial development.