BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 22, 2024) – The City of St. Cloud, Florida has taken a significant step towards boosting its retail landscape by partnering with Retail Strategies, a leading national retail consulting firm. This collaboration’s goal is to enhance the city’s retail recruitment efforts and drive economic growth.
“We are committed to fostering a vibrant retail environment in St. Cloud. By teaming up with Retail Strategies, we’re leveraging their expertise to attract diverse businesses that will serve our community’s needs and contribute to our local economy,” said Antranette Forbes, Economic Development Director for St. Cloud.
The partnership with Retail Strategies will complement and extend the efforts of St. Cloud’s Economic Development Office. The firm will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the trade area, identify gaps in the current market, and create a targeted list of retail and restaurant brands that align with the city’s vision and demographic profile.
Sarah Beth Stewart from Retail Strategies commented on the collaboration: “St. Cloud is a perfect fit for our services. With its strategic location just south of Orlando International Airport and the availability of vacant, developable land, the city presents exciting opportunities for retail expansion. We’re eager to help put St. Cloud on the radar of businesses looking for their next location.”
The partnership will focus on executing a tailored plan to attract retailers and restaurants that complement St. Cloud’s existing business ecosystem. By highlighting the city’s unique advantages and growth potential, Retail Strategies aims to capture the attention of national and regional brands considering future expansion.
About Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies is the national expert in community development and retail economic development. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving towns as alluring locations for national businesses and destinations for tourism and quality-of-life amenities. We confidently pursue this mission by delivering unparalleled customer service as a unified team with unmatched real estate and community development expertise. Our activities pay a return in sales taxes, added jobs, and businesses that enhance and add to the unique qualities of your community.
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
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.
Julie Beck
Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President
Mount Olive, NC
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