Fairfield taking steps to boost retail growth

Sept 5, 2024

A metro-are municipality has contracted with a local firm to bring retail to its city.

The city of Fairfield has inked a three-year engagement deal with Retail Strategies to bring retail and restaurant companies to Fairfield.

Retail Strategies is headquartered in Birmingham but contracts with cities nationally. It is a subsidiary of The R Cos., the parent of Retail Specialists and Ram Development.

Retail Stratetgies’ initial process involves conducting a market analysis, inventorying specific retail properties, connecting with local property owners and creating a match list of retail and restaurant companies that fit the consumer profile of the market. The company then begins an outreach and marketing process to recruit businesses.

“The Fairfield City Council is committed to improving the quality of life for our residents, and a key part of that is providing shopping and dining options,” Fairfield City Councilman Cedric Norman said in a release. “Our city saw the need and value to engage the Retail Strategies team to address property concerns and consult with us on real estate and zoning issues that will help us attract businesses that meet our community’s needs and desires.”

A delegation from the city attended Retail Strategies’ workshop, Retail Academy. Retail Strategies will represent the city at the representing the city at the upcoming International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Southeast conference in Atlanta this October.

Retail Strategies plans to focus on backfilling vacant buildings rather than attracting new construction, according to the release.