Retail Strategies

03/03/2026

We're excited to share that our team is headed back to Washington, D.C. for ICSC Mid- Atlantic!

If you'll be there, let's connect! Whether you want to talk retail strategy, new development opportunities, or just catch up on what’s happening in your community, we’d love to meet up.

02/19/2026

ICSC Red River was another amazing show for our team!

From Lacy Beasley moderating a dynamic panel discussion to co-hosting a happy hour at Casa Rio with our incredible sponsors PartnerTulsa and Kalibrate, the energy never slowed down.

And to top it off, our booth stayed packed all day!

We’re so grateful for the conversations, connections, and continued momentum around retail and community development. Until next time, Red River!

02/18/2026

Our client, the City of Tulsa, has officially been selected for Oklahoma’s first IKEA location — and that is no small achievement.

This is a milestone moment.
A first-in-state retailer.
A global brand.
A major vote of confidence in Tulsa’s future.

Wins like this reflect years of vision, preparation, and leadership committed to growing the city in a smart, strategic way. National retailers choose markets that are ready — and Tulsa has proven it is.

We are incredibly proud to support Tulsa and honored to work alongside leaders who are intentional about economic development and retail growth.

02/17/2026

Communities grow because leaders step up.

Congratulations to Sarah Beth Stewart, VP of Community Partnerships at Retail Strategies, on being named a Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal. 🎉

Sarah Beth works alongside city leaders every day to turn data into action — advancing retail recruitment, strengthening downtowns, and supporting small businesses across the country.

This recognition reflects what our partners already know: she delivers results.

We’re proud of you, Sarah Beth.

Join us in congratulating her 👇

https://hubs.li/Q043cWnk0

02/16/2026

We are headed to San Antonio for ICSC Red River!

Make sure to stop by Booth 619 to talk all things retail and community development with our team!

Don’t miss Lacy Beasley moderating Wednesday’s 3:00 PM panel: “How Communities Can Get in Front of Master Plan Developers.” It’s going to be a great conversation packed with practical insights you can put to work right away.

02/16/2026

Vacant storefronts don’t get filled by hope. They get filled by process.

In this video, Jenn Gregory, President of Downtown Strategies, breaks down the 3-step framework our team uses to help communities move from empty spaces to active, viable downtown retail:

1️⃣ Get the real estate retail-ready

Historic charm matters. But interiors, infrastructure, and usability matter more.

2️⃣ Understand the market beyond the data

We combine analytics and psychographics to understand how people live, shop, and spend.

3️⃣ Recruit proven operators

We focus on established entrepreneurs from nearby markets with concepts that already work, while local startup support stays with grassroots leaders who know that space best.

The result: a repeatable, realistic approach that aligns the right space + the right market + the right operator.

👉 Want the full playbook?

Learn more and register for our upcoming Downtown Strategies webinar:
https://hubs.li/Q042xFxj0

02/13/2026

Retail isn’t shrinking, it’s right-sizing.

In this clip from our 2025 Retail Trends & 2026 Outlook webinar, Elliott Cook, Director of Real Estate at Retail Strategies, breaks down a major shift we’re seeing nationwide:

➡️ Large-format drugstores like Walgreens and CVS are downsizing to smaller footprints — often around 2,500 SF — to match evolving consumer behavior and operate more efficiently.

But closures don’t mean lost opportunity.

Those boxes are being backfilled by value and discount retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree, creating new momentum in local retail corridors.

Key takeaway for communities:

Retail evolution opens doors if you’re prepared with the right data, sites, and strategy.

▶️ Watch the clip to hear why flexibility in footprint size matters more than ever.

02/11/2026

If downtown retail is on your priority list this year, the most valuable next step often isn’t a commitment—it’s a conversation.

A chance to step back and ask:

Is our downtown retail-ready today?

What’s realistically achievable in the next 12–18 months?

Where are we losing deals before they start?

The webinar is designed to help city leaders answer those questions with clarity and confidence.

Register for the webinar, and if it makes sense, we can talk about next steps that fit your community’s goals and constraints. Link below 👇

https://hubs.li/Q042vQjT0

02/10/2026

Consumers aren’t just spending less, they’re spending differently.

In this clip from our 2025 Retail Trends & 2026 Outlook webinar, Lacy Beasley, President of Retail Strategies, breaks down a critical shift we’re seeing nationwide:

• Households are trading down to more affordable options
• Value-oriented retailers are gaining momentum
• Consumers are still prioritizing select experiences, while cutting back elsewhere

This recalibration is reshaping retail demand, site selection, and the types of brands communities can realistically attract in the next 18–24 months.

The takeaway for city leaders:

Retail strategy has to align with today’s value-driven consumer, not yesterday’s assumptions.

▶️ Watch the clip to hear why understanding these spending shifts is essential for smart retail recruitment and long-term tax base growth.

12/05/2025

We’re excited to share some great news!
Sarah Beth Stewart has been named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40.

Our team is proud to recognize Sarah Beth, our Vice President of Community Partnerships, for this well-deserved honor. The Top 40 Under 40 program highlights young professionals who are making a real impact across Birmingham through leadership, service, and community commitment.

Sarah Beth’s recognition reflects the passion she brings to supporting communities and building strong partnerships with local leaders across the markets we serve.

Read more about her achievement on our website:

Retail Strategies celebrates Sarah Beth Stewart, for being named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2026 Top 40 Under 40 list.

11/25/2025

Where does your city’s next sales tax dollar come from?

Our new 2025 Sales Tax 150 Report reveals how top national retailers and restaurants drive local revenue and jobs.

3 quick takeaways:
1️⃣ Retail is your city’s hidden revenue engine.
2️⃣ Data-backed recruitment beats guesswork.
3️⃣ Target the brands that deliver the biggest return.

📊 Download the report to see which retailers can move the needle in your community. https://hubs.li/Q03V4WWy0