We have listed some of the questions we are asked most frequently, and the answers we generally provide. If you have additional questions, please let us know by using our contact page.

New retail developments in a community mean increased sales and property tax collections, new jobs, more shopping and eating options, an enhanced quality of life, and reduced outflow of important dollars to other communities.

The Retail Coach separates itself from other firms in a number of ways. First, we spend time in your community to fully understand your market as well as surrounding areas—a necessary ingredient in providing you with the best final product. Second, we interview existing retailers and stakeholders to hear the goals and objectives of the community. Finally, we “coach” communities for a year after the contract is signed. Our goal is not only to give you the best retail solutions and strategies for success but also to help you implement them. We won't "leave you hanging."

Retail is something that you can recruit, and we’ve proven that with our successful approach. Instead of resting on your laurels, it is important for communities to take a proactive role in the retail recruitment process—you cannot just assume that someone is looking at you. Our unique product provides communities with the necessary tools and information that retailers are looking for, helping you target those you have the trade area to support.

Retail leakage occurs when citizens of a community spend money outside that community, which takes important dollars away for city services. TheRetailCoach provides a leakage or “gap” analysis that educates communities as to how many dollars are exiting the community in each retail sector. We utilize a proprietary model that estimates retail spending potential for a retail trade area based upon population, income, and consumer spending patterns. We are then able to determine the extent to which a community is or is not capturing its sales based upon retail sales data published by Claritas and InfoUSA, private demographic and data vendors. Not only will this information identify market opportunities for national chain retailers and restaurants, it can be utilized by existing businesses.

Not only do we develop a retail recruitment strategy for your community, we identify redevelopment opportunities and make recommendations on how those projects can take flight. Retail redevelopment involves the rehabilitation and improvement to older shopping centers and dated buildings. Encouraging redevelopment of older retail developments can spur other improvements which greatly enhances the appeal of the area just as a new retail development would.

A political boundary is not the same as a retail trade area. A retail trade area is the largest distance consumers are willing to travel to purchase retail goods and services. Instead of just looking at the drive time analysis and concentric circle methodologies, TheRetailCoach goes a step further in understanding each community’s trade area. We conduct an “on the ground” inspection of the community as well as the surrounding areas to gain a full understanding of transportation thoroughfares, residential growth, and retail developments and clusters. Finally, we talk with existing retailers to verify our findings for the most accurate depiction of the community’s trade area. Because each community is different, it is imperative that we evaluate the nuances of every area and avoid a "one size fits all" strategy.