Four key activities take place through the Opportunities Cowichan: Planning for Retail Business Retention and Growth project. They are:
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1. Strategic Planning
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2. Retail Business Workshops and Skill Development
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3. Business Assessment Opportunties
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4. Consumer Awareness Campaign
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<b>Strategic Planning with the retail sector</b>
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Opportunities Cowichan will provide a framework for retailers to identify issues facing the retail industry, and opportunties they could see pursuing to address these concerns and strengthen the retail industry in the Cowichan Region. The Round Table planning sessions will provide an opportunity for retailers, and community development agencies to come together, prioritize activities and develop plans for implementation.  The strategic planning process will include the following activities:
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<li>A Survey of the retail businesses in five key communities of the Cowichan Region to identify potential business retention and growth opportunities. These communities will include: Ladysmith, Chemainus-Crofton, Cowichan Lake, Duncan and the South end communities ( Cowichan Bay-Mill Bay-Shawnigan Lake-Cobble Hill)</li>
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<li>One-on-one meetings with community organizations involved with retail sector and key business area development, to identify issues and opportunities and potential alliances</li>
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<li>Consumer focus groups (adult and teens) to identify gaps in service, consumer needs, and retail sector strengths and weaknesses from the consumer perspective</li>
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<li>Round Table planning sessions to prioritize activities and develop action plans in key areas identified.</li></ul>
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