Hermiston, Oregon
Hermiston turns retail leakage into national brands
City of Hermiston, Oregon builds momentum through a nearly decade-long partnership with Retail Strategies
The challenge
Dollars leaving town
Hermiston residents were spending money that the community couldn’t capture. Without the national brands shoppers wanted, many residents drove to other markets for groceries, apparel, dining, and everyday goods. The city needed a partner with the data, relationships, and persistence to turn that leakage into a recruitment opportunity and give Hermiston a seat at the table with national retailers.
The result
National stores, steady growth
Since partnering with Retail Strategies in 2017, Hermiston has welcomed national brands including Chipotle, Marshalls, Planet Fitness, and Grocery Outlet. Each addition keeps more spending local and strengthens Hermiston’s position as a regional shopping destination in Eastern Oregon.
Turning leakage into leverage
Retail Strategies uses gap analysis to show exactly where Hermiston residents are spending money outside the city. For retailers, that leakage is a signal: an opportunity to open a store and capture demand that already exists. Paired with consumer spending profiles, the data helps match Hermiston with the brands most likely to succeed there.
Making the most of available real estate
Recruitment starts with knowing what’s available. The team identifies developable land and second-generation buildings, former retail spaces now sitting empty, and puts those sites directly in front of growing brands. A ready building can shorten a deal from years to months, and the team’s work is already generating interest in one of the city’s most visible vacancies along Highway 395.
Looking Forward
Momentum that keeps building
Hermiston’s pipeline is the strongest it has been. The Retail Strategies team has contacted more than 50 retail prospects, from grocers to automotive service brands, and several national retailers are now in active negotiations, including a grocery store, a variety discount store, and a national coffee brand. A soft goods retailer is also eyeing the market.
City leadership’s commitment to retail recruitment has been the foundation of that progress. By investing in a dedicated partner, Hermiston has kept its name in front of the brands that are expanding fastest across the country.