Alliance Brochure (pdf)

United States
Canada (English)
Canada (French)

Alliance Leadership

Alliance Co-Chairs

ICSC
Office of Global Public Policy
555 12th Street, N.W.
Suite 660
Washington, DC 20004
p: 202-626-1400
f: 202-626-1418
alliance@icsc.org

Underserved Markets

Several studies in the last few years have criticized the site selection process and strategy of retailers, claiming that there is inadequate market data when analyzing the buying power of the inner city marketplace. ISCS asked the question, "Could the lack of retail in many urban communities really be caused by retailers misunderstanding the true potential of these markets?" ICSC’s in-depth research asked "If the numbers were evaluated using site selection models, geared toward urban markets would retailers suddenly start opening new stores in the many underserved urban markets across America?"

Against this backdrop ICSC developed a unique partnership with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) to stimulate a dialogue between retail development participants, to address the challenges and obstacles more comprehensively, and to ultimately facilitate development in underserved markets. The first step in this process was a survey of retailers to determine the primary challenges they faced locating in underserved urban markets, as well as what changes or incentives might facilitate the development process. The survey found 11 key factors were regarded by more than 80 percent of the respondents as significant obstacles to entry into underserved markets.

ICSC and BSR members recognized that it was not enough to simply identify the issues and concerns that inhibit development in underserved urban markets. A group of public officials, developers, brokers and retailers was convened to discuss the survey results in depth and compile tangible recommendations to address the concerns. The results of that discussion were released in the ICSC/BSR publication "Underserved Markets - An Untapped Bonanza?"