PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2024
Contacts:
Aaron Farmer, President, The Retail Coach
Tel. 662.231.0608 | AFarmer@TheRetailCoach.net
The Retail Coach Launches Retail Recruitment Economic Development Partnership with Downtown Tempe
TEMPE, AZ — The City of Tempe has selected The Retail Coach, a premier retail consulting and recruitment firm, for a long-term retail recruitment and development project focused on Downtown Tempe.
The City has launched a $25 million refresh of Mill Avenue’s streetscape recently, bringing new trees, infrastructure, landscaping and art. New restaurants and retailers are needed to complement the new look. This collaboration will bring significant economic benefits to Downtown Tempe, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and enhancing the retail landscape.
The Retail Coach brings over 25 years of expertise in retail recruitment, market analysis, and strategic planning to this project. By leveraging their proprietary Retail:360® process, The Retail Coach will design a unique strategy to attract a diverse mix of retailers and job opportunities to Downtown Tempe.
This project emphasizes in-depth market analysis, retail economic development consulting and ongoing recruitment, and working closely alongside local stakeholders.
“The City of Tempe is excited to partner with The Retail Coach to strategically identify, promote, and elevate the retail and restaurant experience our downtown is known for,” said Josh Rutherford, Economic Development Special Projects Administrator. There is already a new mix of restaurants coming to the area, such as a Tulum-based concept from Julian Wright and a 7,000 sq ft restaurant from Pretty Decent Concepts, the high-end restaurant group behind Wren & Wolf, Trophy Room and Carry On. The Retail Coach will build upon the energy they are bringing.
“Our team at The Retail Coach is excited about this new partnership with The City of Tempe,” says Aaron Farmer, President at The Retail Coach, “Through our process, we will analyze Downtown Tempe consumers to determine additional retailers and restaurants that will be a good fit for Downtown, and we look forward to working on Downtown Tempe’s behalf to recruit these new prospects to the community. Aligning strategic retail recruitment with the City’s Mill Avenue Refresh initiative will build upon the uniqueness of this vibrant district.”
About The Retail Coach:
The Retail Coach is a national retail consulting, market research, and recruitment firm that combines strategy, technology, and creative solutions to develop and execute retail economic development plans for local governments, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. The Retail Coach helps communities nationwide build long-term retail economic development plans and attract major retailers such as Lululemon, Starbucks, and Target.
About Downtown Tempe:
Located in the heart of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Tempe, Arizona offers a world-class innovative, urban environment. Tempe is home to Arizona State University, Tempe Town Lake and the historic Mill Avenue. Visit us at tempe.gov/EconomicDevelopment
The Retail Coach Contact:
Caroline Harrelson, Director of Strategy
Phone: 662-705-1710
City of Tempe Economic Development Contact:
Josh Rutherford, Economic Development Special Projects Administrator
Phone: 480-350-8813
Email: joshua_rutherford@tempe.gov
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