Outreach Partners that Help Independent Stores Survive the Changing Marketplace

Abstract

Presenter: Bruce Schwartau, Regional Extension Educator, Community Economics, University of Minnesota Extension Service. Abstract: Scholarly partnerships inside and outside the University of Minnesota Extension Service along with outreach partnerships with the business community have made the Retail Analysis & Development program a success. Local workshops are getting good media attention and creating discussion of how independent businesses can adapt to the changing marketplace and co-exist with the large discount retailers. The program began with researchers adding to the knowledge base of other experts while a non-university market researcher visited with local economic development entities to determine how best to create a learning environment in communities.