The Role of Local Shops in Emergency Logistics and Island Resilience: A Case Study From Zhoushan Archipelago

Islands often present geographic challenges that hinder the efficient distribution of daily necessities and emergency logistics, affecting island resilience. Local shops, such as convenience stores, are critical for strengthening island distribution networks and supplying necessities, particularly during emergencies. This paper examines the allocation of micro-retail infrastructure within island emergency logistics systems, with the Tianao-Huangsha rural settlements of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China serving as a case study. Methods include field study, questionnaires, and quantitative statistics to assess the planning of the supply of daily necessities during emergencies. 285 participants were surveyed through a stratified random sampling method to ensure diverse representation of community demographics. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire aimed at assessing residents’ needs and satisfaction with emergency logistic services. The quantitative analysis employed statistical techniques to evaluate the relationship between local shop accessibility and emergency logistics effectiveness. This study proposes an emergency logistics model that incorporates local shops. The findings include: 1) Micro-retail infrastructure can serve a dual role in supporting daily consumption and distributing emergency supplies, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities; 2) Micro-retail infrastructure could be integrated into emergency logistics system in terms of policies, administrations, public-private negotiations, and incentives. The findings offer insights on embedding micro-retail infrastructure into emergency planning towards the enhancement of island resilience and living environment.