Apr 23, 2008

Study highlights potential for retail growth in BeatriceBy Joelyn HansenBeatriceDailySun.com

Opportunities to bring additional restaurants, a gift/novelty store and a shoe store to Beatrice are possible as those markets are currently underserved, according to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln market research class study.

UNL Professor Dwayne Ball presented the Beatrice City Council Monday night with the findings of a recent study investigation of potential demand for six categories of retail stores in Beatrice. The investigation concluded that there was a potential market for an additional full-service restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, a gift/novelty store and a shoe store, if positioned well.

The Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce late last year sent out a survey to Beatrice Board of Public Works customers asking them about their retail shopping habits and what they would like see brought to Beatrice, Lori Warner, Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce president, said.

The survey results were then given to Ball’s market research class to determine if there was an opportunity for a new retail operation in Beatrice in the top six categories of retail suggested by Beatrice citizens, Warner said. The six categories were chain full-service restaurants, chain limited service (fast-food) restaurants, women’s clothing stores, non-discount department stores, gift shops and shoe stores.

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