#retailoneloudoun

Like we’ve written about again and again, the retail industry is constantly changing.  There are so many ways retailers can utilize current trends to benefit their stores – the possible growth and success is limitless!  Here are a few trends we think will be prevalent in the new year, redefining retailers’ and consumers’ behaviors alike. 

Buying Local:

Buying local is an idea that’s been around for a while but is now starting to gain more momentum.  Good thing our community is ahead of the curve – The Fresh Market at One Loudoun prides itself on its use of local farmers and supplies.  After all, one of One Loudoun’s new urbanism ideals is about maintaining sustainability.  And, a way to create a sustainable living environment is to use and support local vendors.  Retailers that integrate local shopping resources into their campaigns and onto their shelves are always welcome at One Loudoun!  Best of all, residents in the community will seek these local outlets and continue the cycle. 

Stronger Relationships:

In 2014, retailers are going to find even more ways to connect with their audiences.  Customizing the shopping experience can be difficult – especially with hundreds of shoppers walking by daily. However in One Loudoun, the closeness of our community will make it easier to be friends, and neighbors, with shoppers.  In fact, they may very well be actual neighbors, as One Loudoun supports the idea of living and working in the same development. This will help to foster stronger consumer-retailer relationships, making everyone’s shopping experience better.

Social Media

This year, we also expect to see social media playing an even bigger role in retail.  It’s an excellent way to strengthen consumer relations by providing a platform to push out information. Best of all, social media allows retailers of all sizes to speak directly with their audience, and engage with them to better serve their audience. They can inform them of up coming deals, new products, and events.  At One Loudoun, current retailers utilize social media to speak with their customers and in the future, we hope our new retailers do the same! 

Utilizing Technology

If you couldn’t tell from our Inaugural Tree Lighting, One Loudoun certainly doesn’t shy away from technology – in fact, we embrace it, and we hope our retailers do as well.  From social media and online campaigns to mobile and tablet presences, retailers will be able to greatly benefit by utilizing the technologies available to them. This dedication will certainly resonate with consumers!

With all of the ways One Loudoun encourages retailers to succeed, it’s no wonder our development is set to be one of the hottest shopping destinations in Northern Virginia.  With reports indicating 2014 will be a great year for retail, this is an ideal time to open a store location in our community.  Retailers of any size will find a perfect fit in our available commercial spaces – but hurry! A deal this great won’t last for very long!

Mixed-use developments work like a well-oiled machine. All components need to be in sync for one to really come to life. While One Loudoun would be great as a new community with only new homes, what really makes it extraordinary is having those homes paired with office space, restaurants, entertainment, and retail.

The people who live in One Loudoun are interested in living an active and convenient lifestyle. They don’t want to be lugged down by their work commutes, their obligation to drive to everything everywhere they go, or their boredom of living in traditional suburbs. In our community, they don’t have to! Everything, and we mean everything, will be right here in One Loudoun.

Retail is crucial to what makes a mixed-use community, well, mixed-use. Retail stores, much like restaurants and entertainment, bring in revenue while keeping customers engaged and interested. The more people enjoy shopping here, the more they’ll want to come back or buy a home. And the more people that live here, the more they’ll be shopping regularly for groceries, clothing, and more.

That’s why One Loudoun couldn’t be a better place for retailers to establish themselves amongst a customer base. We have a record number of families moving into the community, and they plan to utilize the endless retail options around the corner. Moving in early on allows new shops to grow with their surroundings, helping them to become an early favorite with residents.

It won’t take long for shoppers to flock to our downtown One Loudoun to stroll the streets – many already do! That’s why retailers should capitalize on this perfect opportunity. Northern Virginia has been waiting for a community like ours, and the One Loudoun following is growing by the day. This region is ideal for new businesses, and One Loudoun provides an even better environment for store and business owners.