Royal Oak Partners with National Retail Recruiter

The Retail Coach will help Royal Oak capitalize on an already eclectic downtown. (Photo: City of Royal Oak)

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To confirm its position as a retail and entertainment destination, the city of Royal Oak is partnering with The Retail Coach, a national retail recruitment and development consulting firm.

“Royal Oak has always enjoyed a reputation as one of Michigan’s most exciting cities, with several award winning boutiques and galleries, and a bustling nightlife,” Royal Oak Economic Development Manager Todd E. Fenton said in a news release. “By bringing The Retail Coach on board to assist with our retail business attraction efforts, Royal Oak aims to be a showcase of distinct retailers that provide an unparalleled shopping experience.”

Fenton said people and businesses are increasingly relocating to walkable urban environments, and Royal Oak boasts one of Michigan’s most dynamic and desirable downtowns.

“As foot traffic continues to increase during the day with the addition of new residents and office users, the time is right for a coordinated retail attraction initiative to attract retailers who fit into our unique city,” he said.

Retail Study Components

According to Fenton, Royal Oak selected The Retail Coach to capitalize on these competitive advantages because the City was extremely impressed with the depth of which The Retail Coach responded to the goals, objectives and concerns of Royal Oak.

The Retail Coach assesses actual consumer demand through studies that include a Retail Trade Area determination and Retail Gap/Opportunity Analysis. The analysis will illuminate which of 52 retail categories are exhibiting deficiencies or leakages within Royal Oak.

The Retail Coach has assisted local governments, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations in more than 250 cities throughout the United States during the past 15 years successfully recruit retail.