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Shopping Center Site Selection: Why Real Estate Developers Often Choose “Edge” Locations

Developers who build shopping centers make economic decisions after careful market analysis. Their decisions are based on a center’s potential capture of consumer spending in the trade area as well as the market requirements of prospective retail tenants. The most important element in determining economic viability is location. Location is critical as it determines who will be the tenants and what type of investment return will be generated by the retail center. By understanding the economics of location, community planners can work effectively with developers to explore smart retail growth alternatives including downtown redevelopment.

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Chain Store Site Selection

This edition summarizes chain store site location criteria in Wisconsin as reported in the current Crittenden Directory of Retail Space Users. This database contains information on 971 retail space users from around the country. Understanding their criteria is an important first step in business recruitment efforts.

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Downtown Upper Floor Utilization

In many downtowns, a large amount of upper floor space is vacant or used for storage. This space offers a hidden opportunity to owners interested in generating additional revenue and increasing the value of their property. From a community perspective, increased utilization of these buildings can make downtown a more attractive and active place. This issue shows how upper floor utilization can improve downtown as a place to live, work and shop.

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Business Recruitment Process for Downtowns

Most communities at some point in their development are faced with the prospect of recruiting a new business to fill a void in their business mix. To many community leaders this can be a daunting task. As with any project, however, if the process can be broken down into simple, logical tasks it quickly becomes less forbidding. The recruiting process discussed in this article is one that lends itself to this system of simplification.

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Service Business Mix in Wisconsin’s Small Downtowns

It is important to recognize that service businesses are important elements of a commercial center. Many provide important business and personal conveniences that improve the quality of life and work in a community. This article summarizes a UWEX report that analyzes the number and types of service establishments in Wisconsin’s small cities and villages. The data in this report can be used to analyze service business expansion and recruitment possibilities at the local level by comparing the current local mix with that of comparison communities. The analysis is useful for chambers of commerce, economic development practitioners, businesses, and local governments.

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Retail and Service Trends in Wisconsin: What’s Hot (and What’s Not)

Are you evaluating business opportunities in your community and not sure which ones have the best chance for success? As we begin the year 2000, the retail and service businesses of our local economies are far different than those operating 25 years ago. Consumer behavior has changed as a result of the growth in “Big Box” stores, increased mobility of consumers, increase in two-income families, and the feeling that time is a scarce commodity. This issue discusses the market impact of these developments

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General Merchandise Stores in Small Towns

Development plans by Pamida, Sears, and Wal-Mart focus on providing great general merchandise, groceries,  health care and pharmacy.  General merchandise stores focus on being convenient to their core clientele and competitive.  While the rhetoric around department and discount stores is largely negative, some smaller cities are reorganizing their downtown economic structure in support of department store chain reinvestment.

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Retail Strategies to Capture Tourism Dollars – Part I

Retailers who have been successful selling to tourists carefully manage their inventories in response to visitor wants, needs, and expectations.  This article summarizes some purchasing strategies used by retailers selling to tourists.  The examples presented here to stimulate ideas for businesses in your community.  

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Retail Strategies to Capture Tourism Dollars – Part II

Successful retailers selling to tourists have developed a unique shopping experience for their customers.  They have made their stores an attraction in the community, offering the visitor more than just a place to buy goods.  These examples reflect business operations in a variety of small communities, with varying levels of tourism activity.  

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