A map section is the area of geography lying within an identified boundary. Common map sections are block groups, census tracts, ZIP Codes, counties, states, and countries. This means a set of two or more variables used in a sales forecasting technique. This is one of the oldest sales forecasting techniques. Sales penetrations are graphed against one or more variables to depict their impact on sales performance as their values change.
Normal curves are especially effective when used in conjunction with analogs.
Regression modeling is one of the most powerful sales forecasting techniques. It allows the analyst to effectively explain the most statistically significant variables which impact sales performance. Moreover, the impact of changes in individual or sets of variables can be readily observed.