In the March Perspectives Column of industry newsletter "Downtown Idea Exchange," retail consultant Carol Gies tells readers that the recession has created a new downtown consumer with new values and new shopping patterns. By planning a retail strategy around these new consumers, downtowns can better survive the aftermath of the recession and prosper in the recovery.
Several consumer trends triggered by the recession signal real opportunities for downtown retail — that is, for downtowns willing to resist the pressure to fill vacancies with just any retailer. The record number of vacancies, while painful, can also be useful as a window in which to fine tune, reposition or upgrade downtown retail offerings to fit what Gies calls the New Consumer values created by recession — if you have a well-researched retail strategy.
To read Gies' column visit the Downtown Research & Development Center online at http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com/
