Welcome to the 2024 Shop Census!
As part of our mission to support independent shops throughout the state of Oklahoma, the Independent Shopkeepers Association conducts an annual Shop Census to gather crucial data from all independent retailers in our state. Our goal is simple, we know independent shops are vital to our economy and we want to show it. To do so, we need concrete data points to show the real impact, you, our local shops have collectively on our state’s economy.
The insight we gather through the Shop Census will be shared in a comprehensive State of Retail Study this fall. The report will show, through numbers, why your businesses are so important. It will be shared with industry leaders, stakeholders and decision makers statewide to promote the necessity of supporting independent shops and creating a healthy business climate for shopkeepers.
Not only that, the State of Retail Study also benefits you directly by giving you information to benchmark yourself against your peers. Ever wondered what the average rent for a local shop is? Or how your foot traffic, average transactions or even annual growth compared to others? The Shop Census will help us give you these answers.
Note that all your answers will remain absolutely confidential and anonymous. The State of Retail Study will only show grouped data. Individual responses will never be shared with anyone. New to the Shop Census? Click here to see the previous State of Retail Studies.
Please read through the instructions and FAQs below before starting.
INSTRUCTIONS
You should be able to answer most questions off the top of your head but here are some of the numbers to have on hand before filling out the survey:
Monthly rent or mortgage cost
Average transaction
Average price point
Average conversion rate
2022 and 2023 sales data
How 2024 sales are compare to 2023
You are eligible to fill out the survey if:
You are an independent shop owner
Your shop is located in Oklahoma
Your shop is a brick-and-mortar and not online only
The survey should take 15-20 minutes to fill out. If you’re not sure of what the exact answer is to a question, you are welcome to use a good-faith estimate. If you’re not comfortable answering a question, you can put “N/A.”
If you accidentally close the survey or need to finish later, your answers will be saved as long as you are returning to it on the same device and browser than when you started it.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, email us at hello@isaok.org.
FAQs
What is the goal of this Shop Census?
Our goal is simple, we know independent shops are crucial to our economy and we want to show it. To do so, we need concrete data points to show the real impact all our shops have collectively on our state’s economy. We also want to show what is needed from decision-makers to move forward with the growth of of independent retail. All the data we gather through the Shop Census will be shared in a comprehensive State of Retail study this fall. The report will show, through numbers, why your businesses are so important. It will be shared with industry leaders, stakeholders and decision makers statewide to promote the necessity of supporting independent shops and creating a healthy business climate for shopkeepers.
Are my answers confidential?
Yes! All your survey answers will remain confidential and anonymous. Only grouped data will be shared in the survey, individual responses will never be shared with anyone.
If I leave the page, will my answers be saved?
Yes, the system saves your answers for 15 days. Make sure you go back to the survey on the same device and same browser you used the first time and your answers should still be there so you can pick up where you left off.
What should I know before filling out the survey?
The survey shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes to fill out. We will ask for general information on your shop’s operations (days of operation, parking …), various data points (including average sales transaction, highest foot traffic months…), your employees (payroll costs and benefits offered…) and your day-to-day challenges. The more accurate the information you provide, the better. You’re welcome to answer with good-faith estimates when you’re not sure of the exact answer.
Do I need to be a member of ISA to fill it out?
No, we’re gathering information from all independent shops across Oklahoma, whether you’re a member of ISA or not.
Who should fill this out?
The Shop Census should be filled out by any independent shopkeeper in Oklahoma. An independent shopkeeper is a person who owns, operates and participates in the daily tasks of their store in Oklahoma. The shop must be a brick-and-mortar open to the public and located in the owner’s community.
What if I have more than one shop?
If you have several locations under one brand, fill out the census using your flagship store. If you have several shops under different brands, fill out the census for each shop.
I have a question, who should I contact?
Send us an email at hello@isaok.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
What is ISA?
The Independent Shopkeepers Association (ISA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit association for independent shops in Oklahoma. Our mission is to support, educate, celebrate, and encourage the growth of local retail in Oklahoma by providing a platform for independent shopkeepers to maximize their individual contributions to our unique local culture. We believe that our community is stronger and our culture richer when local retail thrives.
I want to sponsor the State of Retail Study
We’d love to have your support! Send us an email at hello@isaok.org to receive sponsorship information.