Market entry research for a proposed café business

Our client was exploring a potential retail/café venture, based around an Italian ice cream (gelato) franchise.

To assist the client’s decision on whether, and where, to proceed, we compiled topline profiles of five key locations in Newcastle and Gateshead (Gateshead town centre; the Haymarket and Monument areas of Newcastle city centre; Gosforth High Street; and Acorn Road in Jesmond).

Each profile included: demographic information (at the ward/town level); key retail trends for the area (drawing, for example, from any available references to footfall, rents and outstanding retailer requirements in local authority ‘retail health check’ reports and other previous research); details of recent lettings and departures, and future developments; and particulars of currently available retail properties that met the client’s specification.

We produced a 50-page illustrated report that presented our key findings, analysis (in SWOT format) and conclusions, and highlighted the implications for market entry.

Consultancy advice on retail locations

We advised several clients on potential locations for new shops in Wallsend, Chester-le-Street and Felling, sourcing letting particulars for the identified properties, and summarising the particular retail trends in those town centres.

Report into shop vacancy rates

We undertook a high-street audit for Chester-le-Street Business Association, recording uses and vacancy rates across the town centre, and preparing a presentation that proposed actions for improvement.

Read more about this project here.

Can we help?

These retail market insight project examples showcase the type of work that we do to help organisations understand the market and make informed decisions. If you think we could do the same for you, just send us an email, or give us a call on (0191) 461 0361.