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City hears retail recruitment update; consultants point to grocery 'leakage' and specialty grocers as priority
Summary
A national retail portfolio director told Peachtree City Council that the market shows a sizeable trade area and a large food-and-beverage leakage opportunity; staff will provide a quarterly business review and continue outreach to grocery and regional restaurant prospects.
Mill Graves, the portfolio director for Peachtree City's retail recruitment partnership, presented a six-month status update that emphasized the city's market strength and a targeted strategy to attract grocery anchors and regional food-and-beverage brands.
Graves said the firm's mobile-data analysis defines a customized trade area of roughly 214,000 people extending beyond city limits into nearby Newnan, Clayton County and Fairburn. He described ‘‘leakage’’—consumer spending the city currently does not capture—particularly in food and grocery categories. He told council the retail analysis shows a substantial opportunity for specialty grocery stores and more diverse full-service restaurants; his slides, Graves said, show a $220,000,000 leakage opportunity in food and beverage retail within the trade area.
Graves recommended that the city focus on three roles: creating an attractive local environment for retailers, collaborating with property owners and landholders who control real estate, and serving as an ongoing industry contact to keep Peachtree City in front of expanding brands. He said site selection from major grocers can take 3–5 years and that property-lease timing, tenant performance and national retail cycles all matter.
Council followed with questions about the geographic scope (Graves said the analysis reaches roughly 15–20 miles beyond the city), the confidential nature of contact with specific chains, and upcoming deliverables: a conference report on recent trade shows and a quarterly business review with property- and retailer-level updates.
Graves said the partnership is already talking with three grocery operators and focusing on specialty grocery anchors and regional dining concepts; staff will continue to coordinate next steps with the city's economic-development team.
