Retail Strategies

Vacant storefronts don’t get filled by hope. They get filled by process.

In this video, Jenn Gregory, President of Downtown Strategies, breaks down the 3-step framework our team uses to help communities move from empty spaces to active, viable downtown retail:

1️⃣ Get the real estate retail-ready

Historic charm matters. But interiors, infrastructure, and usability matter more.

2️⃣ Understand the market beyond the data

We combine analytics and psychographics to understand how people live, shop, and spend.

3️⃣ Recruit proven operators

We focus on established entrepreneurs from nearby markets with concepts that already work, while local startup support stays with grassroots leaders who know that space best.

The result: a repeatable, realistic approach that aligns the right space + the right market + the right operator.

👉 Want the full playbook?

Learn more and register for our upcoming Downtown Strategies webinar:
https://hubs.li/Q042xFxj0

Consumers aren’t just spending less, they’re spending differently.

In this clip from our 2025 Retail Trends & 2026 Outlook webinar, Lacy Beasley, President of Retail Strategies, breaks down a critical shift we’re seeing nationwide:

• Households are trading down to more affordable options
• Value-oriented retailers are gaining momentum
• Consumers are still prioritizing select experiences, while cutting back elsewhere

This recalibration is reshaping retail demand, site selection, and the types of brands communities can realistically attract in the next 18–24 months.

The takeaway for city leaders:

Retail strategy has to align with today’s value-driven consumer, not yesterday’s assumptions.

▶️ Watch the clip to hear why understanding these spending shifts is essential for smart retail recruitment and long-term tax base growth.