Field notes
Guides from catchment work
Articles rooted in market entry advisory for independent retailers — streets, leases, openings, and assortment decisions.
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Reading a street before you sign the lease
What independent retailers should watch for on three weekday visits — morning, lunch, and late afternoon — before committing to a new address.
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Catchment notes for specialty grocers
How to weigh residential density, workplace lunch trade, and weekend destination shoppers when a second specialty store is on the table.
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Opening-week buffers that actually help
Why soft-open windows and supplier contingency days matter more than a celebratory launch date when you are trading as an independent.
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When neighbouring tenants signal risk
A practical way to read vacancy patterns, late-night formats, and rent boards on the same strip as your proposed shop.
