Davie County, North Carolina, is a picturesque community with small town charm and big city potential.
“Davie County continues a remarkable economic recovery, and we have had tremendous success attracting international manufacturing giants including Ashley Furniture, CPP Global, Dex/Volvo, Dunlop Tyre, and Gildan Activewear,” said Terry Bralley, President of the Davie County Economic Development Commission. “The Davie County Economic Development Commission believes it is now time to direct some of our attention to growing our retail base.”
“We realized as a small community, but with a terrific location connected to a major interstate, we needed the help of an outside professional to assist us with attracting those larger retailers that will help minimize sales leakage, fill vacant storefronts and lots, and expand our retail options,” he added. “We hired The Retail Coach to help us develop and implement a retail sales plan for the entire county. The EDC has invited the towns of Bermuda Run, Cooleemee, and Mocksville, and the Chamber of Commerce to actively engage in the process. We believe this retail plan is another way to add value to the county and will help us grow our future.”
The Retail Coach, a retail recruitment and consulting firm, is a pioneer of the retail recruitment industry. With clients in 29 states and 86% repeat clients, The Retail Coach uses their expertise to help communities reach their goals.
“Our goal is to recruit more retail, restaurants, and entertainment to Davie County to offer our residents more opportunities to buy clothing, electronics, or whatever they need locally; to retain the businesses and restaurants already here; and to keep our current shopping centers and districts vibrant while developing new centers,” said Bralley.
Davie County’s close proximity to the Charlotte and Winston-Salem markets, easy access to Interstate 40, and regional draw due to Wake Forest Baptist Health- Davie Medical Center, make it a prime spot for expanding retail and restaurant options.
During a meeting with The Retail Coach leadership, officials from Bermuda Run said their goals for the partnership include expanding retail near Wake Forest Baptist Health and Davie Medical Center to give citizens and hospital-goers more retail choices. Mocksville officials said they would like to expand their retail base as a whole, while also putting a focus on their vibrant downtown. Cooleemee officials would like more retailers for everyday conveniences.
To achieve these goals, The Retail Coach will begin by determining a Retail Trade Area, or the area from which the county receives most of its consumers. This includes interviewing retailers and community stakeholders and plotting point-of-sale data. Next, the team will conduct a demographic analysis for both the county and the Retail Trade Area. This is followed by a Gap Analysis, used to identify sales leakage to other communities. Using this and similar data, the team will make a target list of retailers and restaurants that would be a good fit in Davie County.
“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Davie County in this process. Our team has already been on the ground and sees unique opportunities for Bermuda Run, Mocksville, and Cooleemee. Our Retail Trade Area determination and Retail Gap Analysis process will help these opportunities stand out to potential retailers, restaurants, and developers,” said The Retail Coach Vice President Aaron Farmer, who will be Davie County’s point-of-contact with the company, along with Director—Retail Strategy Scott Emison.
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