BIRMINGHAM, AL (April 23, 2026) – The City of Clanton has completed Retail Academy, an intensive two-day workshop designed to equip economic development professionals and municipal leaders with the tools and strategies needed to attract and retain retail investment. The workshop was held March 10–11 in Birmingham, Alabama, and was funded through the support of Central Alabama Electric Cooperative.
Retail Academy, a program of Retail Strategies, provides participants with a comprehensive framework for understanding retail markets – including consumer spending patterns, trade area analysis, and targeted recruitment strategies. The training is tailored to help communities of all sizes position themselves competitively for retail and restaurant growth.
For Clanton, the timing reflects a growing awareness of the city’s untapped retail potential. Situated along Interstate 65 with multiple interchange access points, Clanton serves as a natural crossroads for regional traffic. Analyzing drive-time trade areas and retail demographics will be central to informing the city’s recruitment strategy and identifying where local spending is currently leaving the market.
Mayor Jeff Price highlighted the value of the training for the community’s long-term economic development goals.
“Retail Academy gave our team a stronger understanding of retail models and strategies – and how we can use that knowledge to retain local spending,” said Mayor Price. “We know that Clanton has a lot to offer, and we want to make sure we’re positioning ourselves to capture the growth that’s within reach.”
Clanton’s location along I-65, supported by multiple interstate exits, gives the city strong visibility and accessibility that few communities its size can match. As the city works to define its regional retail identity, data-driven analysis of drive times and retail demographics will help leaders target the right tenants and make a compelling case to prospective retailers and restaurateurs.
Madeline Farr, Director of Retail Academy at Retail Strategies, noted that Clanton’s fundamentals stand out in the region.
“Clanton is favorably positioned to capture retail demand that is currently going elsewhere,” said Farr. “The city has prime real estate suited for both retail and restaurant development, and the combination of interstate access and regional draw makes it a market that tenants should be paying attention to.”
Retail Academy is offered to communities across the country as part of Retail Strategies’ commitment to building local capacity for retail recruitment. Communities that complete the program gain access to data, frameworks, and ongoing support to advance their retail development goals.
About Retail Academy
Retail Academy is a program developed by the leading national retail advisory firm, Retail Strategies. The program assists communities in strengthening their retail landscape. Communities will be trained and equipped with the tools and education necessary to attract new retailers to their markets, while providing support to their existing local businesses.
To learn more visit https://www.retailstrategies.com/retailacademy/.
