PORT ANGELES — They are questions every business owner has.
What do my customers want?
How can I meet those needs?
A retail market analysis funded by the city of Port Angeles is intended to provide answers to those questions for Port Angeles merchants, and a bit more.
The City Council approved the allocation of $35,000 Tuesday to fund the study, expected to be completed in about two months.
The city had previously budgeted $25,000 for such a study.
City Manager Kent Myers told the council the additional funds are available within the special economic development project budget.
Consumers, database
Conducted by Buxton of Fort Worth, Texas, the study will identify the needs of Port Angeles consumers and provide a database of existing businesses and services.
The latter will help businesses decide whether to locate here, city staff said.
“This provides intelligence about our community, about the purchases of our community and the potential success that various retail in our community can have,” said Nathan West, city economic and community development director.
Lisa Hill of Buxton told the council the study looks for “what fits with your consumer and your current business model.”
The study includes a one-year subscription to an online trade database and marketing tool for the city.
Buxton plans to meet with Port Angeles business owners to discuss the study. The meeting has not been scheduled.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
