BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 22, 2026) – The Town of Oak Island, North Carolina, participated in Retail Academy, an intensive training program led by Retail Strategies, on October 13-14 in Birmingham, Alabama. The two-day program equipped the town’s economic development leadership with the data, strategy, and real estate knowledge needed to recruit new retailers and restaurants to the community.
“Retail Strategies has an outstanding reputation across North Carolina, and when I started in Oak Island, they were one of the first calls I made,” said Hallie Willis, Economic Development Director for the Town of Oak Island. “I knew going through Retail Academy would be hugely beneficial, both for me professionally and for our community. We have real momentum with new development coming, and this training gives us the foundation to make the most of it.”
Located on the southern end of North Carolina’s coastline, about 45 minutes southwest of Wilmington, Oak Island is home to nearly 10,000 year-round residents, with a summertime population that grows to as many as 90,000 visitors and seasonal residents. The town is experiencing steady residential growth, and with new commercial development planned along key corridors, including NC 211 and NC 906, Oak Island is working to keep residents and visitors shopping and dining locally rather than traveling to neighboring communities.
Retail Academy curriculum covers the fundamentals of retail recruitment, including market data analysis, site selection criteria, commercial real estate, developer and broker relationships, and how to market sites to retailers. Participants also learn how to tell their community’s full market story, an important skill for coastal communities like Oak Island where seasonal population far exceeds what static census figures show.
“Oak Island has a strong market that isn’t fully captured by traditional data, and right now too many of those dollars are leaving town,” said Lacey Bacchus, Senior Director of Community Partnerships for Retail Strategies. “Retail Academy gives the Oak Island team the tools they need to stop that retail leakage, make a compelling case to retailers and developers, and keep citizens shopping and dining in their own community.”
With Retail Academy complete, Oak Island’s economic development team will put its training to work marketing available sites and engaging retail and restaurant prospects as new commercial projects move forward.
About Retail Academy
Retail Academy is a program developed from a 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/.
