Retail

Shoppers

These websites offer tons of information on consumers, trends and more.

Convenience Store News

Inmar Info Source
Lots of info on couponing, digital promotions and consumer shopping behavior.

National Association for Retail Marketing Services
Includes lots of free reports you can download.

Private Label Magazine
Retail branding, events and links to even more useful information concerning retail.

Retail Customer Experience
This site is devoted to the idea that retail marketing goes way beyond price. How true.

Retailer Daily

Shop.org
A division of the National Retail Federation, a member-driven trade association for retail executives.

Smarter Retail
Info for independent retailers (aggregated from other sources).

Specialty Retail Report
The magazine for mall kiosks, mall carts and retail entrepreneurs.

Stores Magazine
National Retail Federation (NRF) publication

Supermarket News

Location, Location, Location

Find just the right spot for your shop or office.
Industry Research
The impact of various industries on real estate

Downtown & Business District Market Analysis

ESRI
Location-based market analysis. Free trial available.

Loopnet
Commercial real estate listings.

National Real Estate Investor Magazine
Info about retail, real estate and development.

Walk Score
Being within walking distance of your customers can be essential to the success of many types of businesses. Think coffee shops or neighborhoods with little parking. At this site, you can check the "walkability" of any address.

WA State Department of Transportation
Maps and data

Directory of Major Malls
Allows one free search, otherwise a paid directory; also offers mall news.

U.S. Research and Tools
Office, industrial, retail

Interactive Market Indicators
Real estate trends and insights

ZoomProspector
Plug in data to help find a location

Seattle-Specific

Seattle Market Research
Office and industrial space.

Research Tips

Opening a retail establishment isn't what it used to be. You could put up a few shelves, write a menu for a restaurant or simply sign a lease and see what happens. It's a lot more competitive these days and retail is as much about concepting and entertainment as it is about selling goods.

There are many customer touchpoints. They include:
  • Psychographics and behaviors: beyond demographics, it's essential to have a complete understanding of how and what your customer thinks and how they behave in relation to your product or service. You have to get into their heads to see why they'll make a purchase (again and again).
  • Multi-channel: think about how a shopper interacts with your company, from the retail experience online, through the mail, in store and on the phone.
  • Store design: from the exterior to the interior, the impact of a 3-dimensional, tangible space has a powerful impact on the customer's desire to purchase and return. And let's not forget merchandising.
  • Customer service: this is where the emotional connection is made; the experience should be unique, engaging, informative and helpful; not sell-y. This alone can lead to repeat business, recommendations and referrals.