Development of a Nonlinear Integer Optimization Model for Tenant Mix Layout in a Shopping Centre

The tenant mix layout of shopping malls affects shopper consumption behaviour and the performance of malls. The main function of the tenant mix layout is to increase store sales by increasing footfall. However, although existing studies have shown the importance of the spatial clustering effect and the physical information about tenants, the authors of those studies did not properly consider both the spatial clustering effect and the physical information about tenants at the meantime. Through this study, we aimed to maximize the spillover effect of the stores in the shopping centre while considering both the spatial clustering effect and physical information about tenants. Therefore, we present a problem called the tenant mix problem, which is to determine the optimal tenant configuration scheme for existing shopping centre space segmentation to maximize the rental income of a shopping centre. To solve this problem, a nonlinear integer optimization model with defined characteristics was proposed and solved using a genetic algorithm. A shopping centre case study is also presented to verify the performance of the model.