Surprise, Arizona residents have spoken, and their cravings are clear - more stores, more eats, more treats. In a robust participation showing, over 5,000 local consumers dished out their retail and restaurant wishes in the 2024 Retail Survey, with heavy-hitters like The Cheesecake Factory and IKEA topping their most-wanted lists. Full survey results, which have historically helped shape the city's business landscape, can be found online, as reported by the City of Surprise website.
With past surveys leading the charge in attracting businesses to the city - think Hobby Lobby, Portillo’s, and American Furniture Warehouse - this year's results echo the community's continued appetite for both variety and quality. The top asks include eateries like P.F. Chang’s, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, along with staple shopping destinations such as Whole Foods Market and Nordstrom Rack. Not only do these data reveal consumer preferences, they're a beacon for potential businesses to set up shop in Surprise.
The city's diners also tipped their hats to local favorites, with Rio Mirage Café and Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Taphouse among the go-to spots for a good meal. Retail-wise, Son Glow Boutique and Karen’s Hallmark were hailed as beloved establishments. When it comes to dining out, residents are hankering for 'unique foodie eats', 'fine dining', and 'eat-ertainment', promising a diverse future for the local culinary scene.
Surprise youth are making their voices heard, too, with over 600 weighing in through the Youth Retail Survey. In-demand brands included H&M and Nike Store, signaling a trend toward expanding the local fashion scene. Symbolic of this yearning, two new clothing stores, Plato’s Closet and Buckle, are gearing up to open their doors. Meanwhile, Chick-Fil-A reigns supreme as the young crowd's eatery of choice, with hopes high for a new Raising Cane’s to join the community's dining roster.
The City of Surprise extends a thank-you to all who contributed to shaping the retail and dining outlook for the locale. These survey responses are not only indicators of consumer patterns but also critical to the Economic Development team's strategic plans for enriching the variety and quality of life in the Surprise area.
