Press

Lakeland hires national retail recruiter

published: January 18, 2022
4:22 pm

The Daily Memphian, November 9, 2021

With several major developments underway or proposed, Lakeland wants to lure more big-name retailers and restaurants.

On Thursday, Nov. 4, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved hiring Birmingham, Alabama-based Retail Strategies to help entice national retailers to the city.

The retail recruiter question arose on Oct. 28 when the Lakeland Economic Development Commission recommended the hire to the BOC after hearing presentations from several recruiters.

Addressing the BOC last week, EDC Chairman Steve Laster noted the importance of bringing in a recruiter now that things are progressing with the Memphis Regional Megasite a short distance east in Haywood County.

Retail Strategies will provide the city with monthly research and analysis.

“They’re very in tune to what’s going on in our region, and we were very impressed overall with their philosophy and strategy to really try to help us build out from a retail standpoint what Lakeland could potentially look like,” City Manager Shane Horn said.

Part of the three-year, $140,000 agreement calls for Retail Strategies to contact 30 retailers, brokers and developers about Lakeland. The city, which will partner with the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce on the first-year $50,000 cost, can withdraw from the agreement at any time.

“I think one thing that Retail Strategies will help us with is to put us on the map and market us to regional and national brands that have a hard time understanding Lakeland,” Commissioner Wesley Wright said.

Read the full article here.

What do you need?

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

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.