Shoppers’ demographics, psycho-graphics detailed

The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting business owners, prospective business investors, industry leaders and commercial real estate agents to participate in a two-part retail workshop designed to help locals understand the demographics and mindset of those who shop here.

Chamber Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said participants will benefit from a partnership the City of Andalusia and the Chamber formed with NaviRetail to provide retail analytics and consulting services for effective retail strategies.

The Memphis-based economic development agency specializes in using data analytics for retail recruitment.

“This is an expensive process for individual businesses, so we are pleased to be able to make this available at no cost for the businesses. The City of Andalusia is making the information available to existing businesses to help them thrive,” Duffy said. “This is not a vendor-sponsored workshop. NaviRetail will be presenting information about our community.”

Duffy said data shows that people come into the market to shop, but they also shop other places. In addition, there is “leakage,” or people leaving this market to shop in others.

This program will present demographic as well as psycho-graphic data findings, she said. The workshop also will address current retail trends, consumer profiling and buying habits, the use of consumer tracking in retail, and targeted ad campaigns.

Those topics will be covered in the morning session, set for 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

“This is really for small businesses and commercial realtors,” she said.

There is a lunch break from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In the afternoon, from 1 until 4, attendees who would like to take it a step farther, can participate in a series of in-person market evaluations for retailers and restaurants.

There is no charge for the workshop. To register, email chrissie@andalusiachamber.com, or call the Chamber at 334.222.230.