For many downtowns and commercial districts it is difficult to attract new businesses. We know chain stores tend to avoid downtowns and commercial districts and that independent entrepreneurs are the backbone of many shopping areas. Retail Incubators are an innovative, fun  and cost-effective way to grow independent retailers.

Realistically we cannot expect independent retailers to just “spring up” without a little nurturing and creativity. That is where THE RETAIL INCUBATION GROUP comes in.
We are experts in helping downtowns, cities and commercial districts establish retail incubators in order to attract and grow retail businesses reasonably and creatively.

Retail incubators are a true grassroots economic development tool. They are a shared space where people new to retailing can take space with other new retailers while they learn the essentials of retailing and business management.

Once a retailer gets her/his feet on the ground in the incubator and learns the essentials of retail management, then they “graduate” to a space of their own within the downtown or commercial district.  Everyone wins.  The retailer has become established and learned how to run a successful business and the community wins when another empty storefront is filled.

Retail incubators contribute to a culture of entrepreneurship in our downtowns and commercial districts and are a Smart Growth tool that will help stave off the rapid encroachment of Big Box retailers. In addition, they provide the downtown or commercial districts with a steady stream of creative, innovative and thriving businesses.

Retail incubators are a unique way to provide an interesting shopping experience in downtowns, commercial districts or neighborhoods.

The Retail Incubation Group was founded by noted economic development professional Chuck D’Aprix (chuck@RetailIncubation.com) who also started the DOWNTOWN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT (www.DowntownProject.com) AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISIONS (www.EconomicVisions.com). In fact, the Retail Incubation Group is a division of the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project, a program designed to revitalize downtowns and commercial districts through entrepreneurship.