Prior to opening a new trade outlet, one should assess the scope of its impact, i.e. determine the area, from which the majority of customers will come. Knowing the boundaries of the area and taking into account the number of its inhabitants, one may determine the number of potential customers of the trade outlet. The scope of impact is determined on the basis of: 1) zip codes, 2) address data, 3) models of the spatial interaction, 4) route of vehicle access, and 5) time of vehicle access.