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Downtown Retail Recruitment Checklist

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Recruit the right retailers. Revive your downtown.

Download our free checklist to attract the right businesses and build a thriving downtown district.


Struggling to fill vacancies or attract the right mix of retailers to your downtown?

You’re not alone – and you’re not without resources. Whether you’re a city leader, a downtown development staffer, economic developer, or a chamber of commerce executive, our Downtown Retail Recruitment Checklist guides you step-by-step through the process of attracting, preparing for, and supporting new retail tenants.

It’s practical, proven, and built for communities like yours.

What does the downtown recruitment checklist cover?

  1. How to gather and use local market data to target the right retailers
  2. Steps to create compelling recruitment materials and incentive packages
  3. Tips for engaging property owners, brokers, and businesses for active outreach

Why downtown retail recruitment matters:

Strong downtowns drive local economies, create jobs, and shape community identity.

Targeted retail recruitment ensures your district isn’t just filled—it’s thriving with businesses that meet local needs, enhance the streetscape, and support long-term economic vitality.

Get Checklist Access Now:

Download this checklist to enhance your business recruitment strategy for downtown.

About Downtown Strategies

Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies, exists to provide realistic, implementable strategies to communities for revitalizing their downtowns. Led by a team of former downtown revitalization practitioners and real estate experts, our combination of real-world experience, plus expertise in real estate and retail uniquely qualify us to assist communities with backfilling vacancies, increasing tourism, and enhancing the sense of place in their downtowns. Serving rural communities in 25 states, Downtown Strategies is the leading national firm for downtown revitalization planning, emphasizing real estate and retail.

What do you need?

Recent Posts

Service: Retail Strategies
I’ve told every city leader that has called to ask about Retail Strategies, ‘You’d be foolish not to try.’

John Feary

City Manager

Claremore, OK

Service: Small Business Support
We are excited to have a turnkey program that supports all sectors — retail services, restaurants, traditional retail, and landlords. This platform will empower our small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Andrea de la Rosa

Assistant Director of Small Business Development

City of Bloomington

Service: Retail Strategies
I really enjoyed the meeting with Laura Marinos and Jennifer Gregory of Retail Strategies! They were very informative and supportive. They gave me so much information and tips for taking my business to the next level in the marketing area where I lack tremendously. I finally decided on a new name so I will be putting their tools into action soon!

Stacy Grant

Business Owner

Youngstown OH

Service: Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies has been an incredible asset to both my clients and me in deal-making. Their folks do a great job of listening to retailers’ requirements and providing value. They’ve proven to be a strong conduit between municipalities and retailers supporting growth through connections.
casey smallwood headshot

Casey Smallwood

SVP, Managing Principal & Market Leader, SRS Real Estate Partners

Service: Retail Strategies
I would highly recommend Retail Strategies. They have been a great partner to the Hendry County Economic Development Council in our recruitment efforts to bring more retail opportunities to the county. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships throughout the retail community combined with their friendly approach has made them a valued partner in our community’s growth efforts.

Keitha Daniels

Executive Director of the Hendry County Economic Development Council

Hendry County, Florida

Service: Downtown Strategies
The thing that we really liked about Retail Strategies is that they work together with you and the community. We had to put together an executive committee that consists of some town employees, officials, some citizens and plus myself from the chamber. Retail Strategies has a very diverse background. They have people that are from economic development, they have people that were realtors, they have people that are downtown development directors, people that are in tourism, people that are in retail, so they really have all avenues.
mount olive julie beck

Julie Beck

Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President

Mount Olive, NC

2025 Retailer Report

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Our exclusive report aggregates the jobs and sales tax revenue for 150 top retailers. 

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