The following questions will be used in a research study concerned with measuring the projected impact that large, national discount retailers such as K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, Pace, Sam's Clubs, Home Depot etc. will have on the economies of various, selected Southern California communities. This survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete. Please read each question carefully and answer them to the best of your ability. When you have completed the questionnaire, place it in the enclosed, pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelope and mail it directly to us as soon as possible. We would like to receive the finished questionnaires by June 17, 1994 or very soon thereafter. The success of this study strongly depends on your cooperation.
(1.) What type/form of business is your establishment? (Please check off the category below that best identifies your business/s.)
____ Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Family-Owned
Business
____ Franchisee
____ Chain Unit - Regional
____ Chain Unit - National
____ Retail Concessionaire
(2.) How many years has your business been in operation?
____ 0-2 yrs.
____ 2-5 yrs.
____ 5-10 yrs.
____ 10-20 yrs.
____ more than 20 yrs.
(3.) Please estimate how much area per square feet your operation occupies. If you have more than one operation, try to make an average estimate to the best of your ability.
____ 0-500 sq. ft.
____ 501-1000 sq. ft.
____ 1001-5000 sq. ft.
____ 5001-10,000 sq. ft.
____ 10,001-50,000 sq. ft.
____ 50,001-100,000 sq. ft.
____ over 100,000 sq. ft.
(4.) If a large, national discount retail chain that sells similar products/services opened near your present business location, what would you estimate its ultimate impact to be on the economic health of your business?
____ Very Positive (helpful)
____ Positive
____ Neutral or No Effect
____ Negative
____ Very Negative (not helpful)
(5.) Please indicate the number of employees that you currently employ:
| ____ 0 - 5 people | ____ 41 - 50 |
| ____ 6 - 10 | ____ 51 - 75 |
| ____ 11 - 20 | ____ 76 - 100 |
| ____ 21 - 30 | ____ 101 - 200 |
| ____ 31 - 40 | ____ over 200 |
(6.) If a large, national discount retail chain that sells similar products/services opened near your present business location, what would you estimate the percentage effect to be on your TOTAL EMPLOYMENT after the national discount retail chain's arrival:
| Increase(up to %) | Decrease(up to %) |
|---|---|
| ____ +0% | ____ -0% |
| ____ +5% | ____ -5% |
| ____ +10% | ____ -10% |
| ____ +15% | ____ -15% |
| ____ +20 % | ____ -20% |
| ____ +25% | ____ -25% |
| ____ +30% | ____ -30% |
| ____ +35% | ____ -35% |
| ____ +50 % | ____ -50 % |
| ____ more than 50% | ____ more than 50% |
(7.) Please estimate your current annual SALES VOLUME:
____ $0 - $50,000
____ $50,001 - $100,000
____ $101,000 - $250,000
____ $250,001 - $500,000
____ $500,001 - $1,000,000
____ $1,000,001 - $3,000,000
____ $3,000,001 - $10,000,000
____ over $10,000,000
(8.) If a large, national discount retail chain that sells similar products/services opened near your present business location, what would you estimate the percentage effect to be on your SALES VOLUME after the national discount retail chain's arrival?
| Increase(up to %) | Decrease(up to %) |
|---|---|
| ____ +0% | ____ -0% |
| ____ +5% | ____ -5% |
| ____ +10% | ____ -10% |
| ____ +15% | ____ -15% |
| ____ +20 % | ____ -20% |
| ____ +25% | ____ -25% |
| ____ +30% | ____ -30% |
| ____ +35% | ____ -35% |
| ____ +50 % | ____ -50 % |
| ____ more than 50% | ____ more than 50% |
(9.) If a large, national discount retail chain that sells similar products/services opened near your present business location, what would you estimate the percentage effect to be on your PROFITABILITY after the national discount retail chain's arrival?
| Increase(up to %) | Decrease(up to %) |
|---|---|
| ____ +0% | ____ -0% |
| ____ +5% | ____ -5% |
| ____ +10% | ____ -10% |
| ____ +15% | ____ -15% |
| ____ +20 % | ____ -20% |
| ____ +25% | ____ -25% |
| ____ +30% | ____ -30% |
| ____ +35% | ____ -35% |
| ____ +50 % | ____ -50 % |
| ____ more than 50% | ____ more than 50% |
(10.)There appears to be a trend on the part of the large, national discount retail chains to buy directly from manufacturers. As a result, middlemen or intermediate distributors seem to be disappearing. How will this affect your purchasing practices?
____ Very Positive (helpful)
____ Positive
____ Neutral or No Effect
____ Negative
____ Very Negative (not helpful)
(11.)What methods do you use to promote your business? Please check off the methods that you rely on the most:
| ____ flyers/leaflets/brochures | ____ national newspapers |
| ____ canvas personally | ____ magazines |
| ____ telemarketing | ____ radio |
| ____ telephone book/yellow pages | ____ T.V. |
| ____ local newspapers |
(12.)Please rate the days of the week as to which are your busiest and which are your slowest. Circle your responses.
| 0 | = closed on that day |
| 1 to 3 | = degrees of slow - 1 being the slowest |
| 4 | = moderately busy |
| 5 to 7 | = degrees of busy - 7 being the busiest |
| DAY | SLOWEST | BUSIEST |
|---|---|---|
| SUNDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| MONDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| TUESDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| WEDNESDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| THURSDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| FRIDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
| SATURDAY | 0 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 |
(13.) Please chart your store hours. Identify whether the hour is A.M. or P.M.
| SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ |
| CLOSE | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ | ____ |
(14.)Please provide the following information on an average basis. Approximate to the best of your knowledge:
(15.)Below is a standard list of products/services normally sold in a large, national discount retail chain. We want to assess what kind of competition exists between small business and this type of mega-retailer and how it will affect you. Please check off the categories from below which pertain to you. Beside the items that you check off, please put an estimate of the percentage of TOTAL SALES that that category maintains relative to all items that you sell/service. The percentage total of all the items that you check off should not be greater than 100%.
Example: _X_ DRESS/SUITS _30_ %
CATEGORY-% of TOT. SALES
MEN'S WARDROBE:
___ DRESS/SUITS ___%
___ CASUAL WEAR ___
___ ATHLETIC WEAR ___
___ UNDERGARMENTS ___
___ DRESS SHOES ___
___ CASUAL SHOES ___
___ ATHLETIC SHOES___
___ ACCESSORIES ___
WOMEN'S WARDROBE:
___ DRESS APPAREL ___%
___ WORK APPAREL ___
___ CASUAL ___
___ ATHLETIC ___
___ LINGERIE ___
___ DRESS SHOES ___
___ CASUAL SHOES ___
___ ATHLETIC SHOES___
___ ACCESSORIES ___
INFANT/CHILDREN:
___ CLOTHING ___%
___ SHOES ___
___ FURNITURE ___
___ CARE PRODUCTS ___
___ FOOD PRODUCTS ___
PETS:
___ FOOD ___%
___ SUPPLIES/TOYS ___
___ FISH/AQUATIC ___
___ SMALL ANIMALS ___
FOOD PRODUCTS:
___ NON-PERISHABLES___%
___ FROZEN FOODS ___
___ PRODUCE ___
___ MEATS/POULTRY ___
___ OTHER ___
___ BEVERAGES ___
___ SNACKS/CANDIES___
CATEGORY-% of TOT. SALES ELECTRONICS:
___ VIDEO/EQUIP. ___%
___ AUDIO/STEREO ___
___ COMPUTER/EQUIP.___
___ GAMES ___
___ OTHER EQUIP ___
GAMES AND HOBBIES:
___ BOARD GAMES ___%
___ TOYS ___
___ HOBBIES ___
___ ARTS/CRAFTS ___
___ SEWING/FABRICS___
SPORTS PRODUCTS:
___ ATHLETIC EQUIP.___%
___ HUNT/FISH EQUIP___
___ BIKES/EQUIP. ___
___ OTHER ___
PAPER PRODUCTS:
___ STATIONARY ___%
___ GREETING CARDS ___
___ GIFT WRAPPING ___
___ PARTY SUPPLIES___
HEALTH AND BEAUTY:
___ OTC DRUGS ___%
___ Rx. DRUGS ___
___ HYGIENE PROD. ___
___ COSMETICS ___
DOMESTIC PRODUCTS:
___ FURNITURE ___%
___ BATH/LINENS ___
___ CLEANING PROD.___
___ SM. APPLIANCES___
___ KITCHEN ___
___ PAPER PROD. ___
CATEGORY-% of TOT. SALES HOME IMPROV/BUILD SUPPLIES:
___ LUMBER ___%
___ TOOLS ___
___ PAINTS ___
___ WALLPAPER ___
___ CARPETING ___
___ DRAPERIES ___
___ FLOORING ___
___ ROOFING ___
___ INSULATION ___
___ DOORS/WINDOWS ___
___ PLUMBING ___
___ LIGHTING/ELECT.___
___ KITCH./CABINETS___
___ LAWN/GARDENS ___
AUTO EQUIP/SERVICES:
___ MECHANIC SERV.___%
___ AUTO PARTS ___
___ TIRES ___
___ SUPPLIES ___
OTHER PRODUCTS:
___ JEWELRY ___%
___ WATCHES/CLOCKS___
___ BOOKS/MAGS ___
___ CIGARETTES ___
___ OTHER ___
OTHER SERVICES:
___ OPTOMETRY ___%
___ PHOTO PROCESS.___
___ FAST FOOD VEND.___
___ HAIR SALONS ___
___ DRY CLEANING ___
___ OTHER ___
TOTAL SALES 100%
(16.)Please fill in the following lines with those geographic areas or neighborhoods where your customers primarily come from. (Your numbers should add up to 100%):
For example:
| New York | Illinois |
| 30% Seneca Falls | 30% Des Plaines |
| 20% Geneva | 20% Streamwood |
| 50% Waterloo | 10% Schaumberg |
| 40% Elk Grove Village |
| % of Customer Base | Geographic Area |
|---|---|
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
| ____ | __________________________ |
(17.) What methods would you employ in order to compete more effectively with a large retail discount chain that sells similar products/services; or, what decisions would you make to alter, survive or terminate your business? Please check off your alternatives from the list below. It is permissible to check off more than one.
____ raise prices
____ lower prices
____ increase working hours
____ decrease working hours
____ increase staff
____ decrease staff
____ increase visibility with better marketing, advertising, and/or promotions
____ provide a fuller, more personalized service
____ expand product lines/services
____ narrow your product line/services to a more specialized market
____ consolidate business (if you currently have more than one operation)
____ liquidate business
____ bankruptcy, chapter 11 or chapter 7
____ move business to a more geographically desirable location
____ sell business
____ merge business or take on a partner
(18.) If you have ideas or opinions, please use the next few lines to make comments. This is strictly confidential and voluntary. Both negative and positive comments are welcome:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
* It is OPTIONAL to sign your name and give your phone number and address. These surveys will be kept in the strictest of confidence and no names, addresses or quotes will be divulged. We are interested in being able to contact you in the future since an occasion may arise where your business input may help us in our research paper and our recommendations for corrective state and federal legislation to assure the survival of small business:
NAME OF
COMPANY___________________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER_(___)____________FAX
NUMBER_(___)___________________
NAME OF BUSINESS
CONTACT_________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF BUSINESS
CONTACT___________________________________
**Please Complete By JUNE 17, 1994 **
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