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Small Business Report

Empowering Small Businesses: Strategies for Success in 2025

small business report 2025- strategies for success in the digital age to grow your local economy

Small Business Report

Empowering Small Businesses

Strategies for Success in 2025

Empowering small businesses with digital skills is essential for local economic growth.

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, small businesses are the heartbeat of mid-sized cities, driving economic growth and community vitality. The Helping Small Businesses Succeed in the Digital Age report by Retail Strategies reveals why city leaders must invest in technology training to empower local businesses.

With 76% of small businesses recognizing the importance of technology but 41% lacking the skills to leverage it, cities have a unique opportunity to bridge this gap. By equipping businesses with tools to enhance online presence, harness AI, and deliver seamless customer experiences, cities can unlock significant economic returns—every $1 invested in tech training generates $2.83 in local economic impact.

What’s Covered in the Report:

  • The technology challenges small businesses face and their impact on growth
  • Economic benefits of city-led tech training, including job creation and tax revenue growth
  • Practical strategies for improving online tools, AI adoption, and customer experiences
  • Why on-demand training is critical for small business success

This comprehensive guide offers actionable insights for city leaders to foster resilient, tech-savvy small business ecosystems. From creating jobs (up to 235 new jobs with a $350,000 investment) to boosting tax revenue (up to 16.7% increase), the report highlights proven strategies that forward-thinking cities are already implementing. With 91% of small business owners preferring flexible, on-demand training, Retail Strategies’ Small Business Support platform provides a tailored solution to meet these needs, ensuring businesses thrive in the digital age. Book a demo today to discover how your city can lead the charge in economic innovation.

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Small Business Support

What is the ROI of education? 

We can loosely predict, based on experience, how beneficial small business support can be for your community.

However, every community is unique. For more in-depth analysis on your situation, we can provide you with a demonstration that accounts for your local variables.

Request a Demo

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.
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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

Sales Tax 150

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

Download the Report