The results are in and Cornwall shoppers have spoken. The introduction of selected retail outlets would augment consumer shopping choices and could possibly reduce the outflow of dollars to other centres. That’s according to a comprehensive survey carried out by the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Over 65% of the close to 500 respondents indicated they out-shopped at least once a month,” reports Chamber President, Jeff Bethune. “The results of the survey suggest that with the introduction of new stores, we could reduce and in some cases eliminate out-shopping.”

Close to 90% of respondents shopped in Cornwall at least once a week with the Brookdale Centre and Cornwall Square topping the destinations at 77.3% and 75.3% respectively. Eastcourt showed 34.9% with downtown Pitt Street at 24.8% and Le Village at 5.1%.

 In the general retail sector, Old Navy topped the list followed by American Eagle, Gap, Children’s Place, Laura’s Roots, Jacob, Moores and Aeropostale. The Bay, with a minimal response ranked highest amongst department stores.

Specialty retailers included Future Shop, Chapters, Best Buy, Bulk Barn, Michael’s and Toys R Us, Sports Chek, Sports Experts, Aldo and Golf Town. Restaurants in demand included Starbucks, Montana’s, Red Lobster, Second Cup, Quizno’s Boston Pizza and Taco Bell.

Questions about service in Cornwall revealed that over 73% considered it to be about the same or better than other communities with just under 19% rating it ‘not as good’. 45% identified areas, or more specifically, stores in which they would not shop because of poor service.

“The Chamber will be sharing the survey results with the various shopping areas and BIAs and hopes to work collectively on a strategy that adds to our mix of retail stores andkeeps our consumer dollars within the community itself,”continued Bethune. A complete copy of the report can be found on the Chamber web site at www.cornwallchamber.com.