Bricks-and-Clicks: Navigating your community through the ever-changing retail environment

by Justin Lindsey

During a state conference this fall I spoke on the topic of “Bricks-and-Clicks: Navigating your community through the ever-changing retail environment”. The session was geared toward community leaders wanting to gain a better picture of emerging online trends and how they relate to retail at a local level.

I discussed how e-commerce and the “Bricks-and-Clicks” model are changing the retail industry while influencing how and where retailers expand their physical presence. Many communities I work with are faced with struggling retail centers that have lost anchors or are filled with businesses that are not drawing customers.

The presentation was designed to teach city leaders how to tap into retail industry trends and utilize planning tools and additional resources to maximize their retail potential. There were plenty of questions from the audience, so I thought I would share in this short FAQ article.

1. How do you attract “boutiques” or mom-and-pop retailers, and are they more or less immune to the effect of online?
2. What’s your approach to empty big boxes?
3. Is a market study worth it, and what do I do after the study takes place?
4. How long does it take to recruit retailers on average?