Surveying Shopko shoppers; economic development groups seek input

WORLAND — A survey to find out shopping patterns of Shopko customers in the Big Horn Basin is now online and available for any Shopko shopper.

The survey is part of a project from the Wyoming Business Council and National Main Street Center. According to Wyoming Business Council Northwest Regional Director Amy Quick, “I cover the four counties of the Big Horn Basin: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie. When the first Shopko closures were announced, I was in close contact with the economic development professionals in the three communities initially affected (Greybull, Thermopolis and Worland), and everyone was very concerned about what it would mean for their residents and businesses.

“I reached out to the National Main Street Center, which we work closely with for our Wyoming Main Street programs, to see what resources or ideas they might have and started working with Matt Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs, on an initiative to look at both short- and long-term ways to address the situation, including data collection, education and capacity building. Once it was announced that all Shopko stores will be closing nationwide, including 13 stores in Wyoming and additionally Powell in our region, the situation immediately became more concerning and we expanded the scope of the project.”

Wagner said, “When the closures were announced we were asked to explore how communities might transition in both the short and long run given the pace at which retailing is changing nationally.”

Quick said that earlier this month, she and Wagner made half-day visits to each of the communities affected in Northwest Wyoming: Powell, Greybull, Worland, and Thermopolis with the Worland visit on Wednesday, April 17.

“Those visits consisted of multiple focus group listening sessions with community leaders, local retailers, and consumers as well as community tours. Prior to these visits, economic developers in each of the communities conducted informal inventories of businesses with product categories similar to Shopko,” Quick said.

Following the meetings, the next step is the survey, located at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NS6PP5H.

The survey seeks information on the frequency that people shopped at Shopko for a variety of items including pet supplies, wellness and hygiene, sports/recreation, seasonal, lawn and garden, domestic (linens, sheets and other household items not covered in other categories), groceries, name brand active shoes, accessories, health and beauty, clothing for different ages, housewares, appliances and electronics.

It then asks where you plan to purchase the items with Shopko closing.

The survey also includes questions on general shopping patterns including what day of the week and time of day do you shop and what factors into where you shop (price, quality, variety, convenience, supporting local business).

The survey does ask gender, zip code and income.

She added that they would like as much input as possible and from all demographics.

“It’s great to share it widely. The more input we can get from a diverse audience is helpful. It doesn’t have to be from people in a community that is losing a Shopko. We’re interested in shopping habits for those coming into communities with a Shopko and what their plans are going forward,” Quick said.

Washakie Development Association Executive Director LeAnn Baker encourages everyone to take the survey. She said, “This is a great way to gather data not only about Shopko but overall shopping habits of our residents, including timing and the importance of truly shopping local first.”

Quick said the survey will be available through Monday, May 6 and then the information will be analyzed and added to the report to be presented at the June 6 webinar. Quick noted they do not have a time or location where the webinar can be viewed yet.

Anyone with questions on the su rvey can contact Quick at 307-421-0140.