City Seeks Input on Retail & Services in Novato

During the next few weeks, Novato residents, workers, and businesses have an opportunity to share their opinions about shopping and doing business in the city.

Sponsored by the City of Novato, two surveys focus on the shopping habits and local business’ plans, with an eye toward improving retail opportunities in the city. In discussions regarding the city’s fiscal condition, two of the city’s commissions — the Economic Development Commission and the Measure F Oversight/Citizens’ Finance Committee — recommended that the city gather more information on retail sales.

The shopper survey asks 25 questions about when and where Novato residents and workers shop, what type of merchandise they shop for, and what influences their choice of store.

The business owner survey asks 16 questions about opportunities in Novato, any challenges to doing business in Novato, and types of assistance or services that would help their business be successful.

Both surveys should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Participants can choose to remain anonymous or can share their contact info if they wish to have further discussions with the city.

Participants also have a choice of completing the survey electronically or on paper. The survey will be accessible through March 4 on the city’s website and will be available in hard copy at these locations:

• City Administrative Offices, 75 Rowland Way, Suite 200
• Novato Chamber of Commerce, 807 De Long Ave.
• Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road

If you pick up a hard-copy survey, make sure it is returned to one of these locations by the end of the day March 4.

To help with this effort, the City has hired Chabin Concepts and Marketek to incorporate information gathered from interviews and the surveys, to prepare a retail market strategy that will contain market data and analysis, recommendations on appropriate business and merchandise mix and ways to promote the city’s market position.