Retail survey reveals U. shopping habits

Penn students crave a nearby Italian restaurant and want more clothing stores off campus, according to a survey conducted last month by the University's Real Estate Department. Surveying more than 1,000 members of the University community over the Internet, the department examined the retail needs of the University community while obtaining valuable marketing data for future off-campus development, according to Real Estate Project Manager Helen Walker. The survey garnered a large number of honest responses and was the first ever that produced accurate publishable results for the Real Estate Department, Walker said. Associate Treasurer for Real Estate Chris Mason said the survey results will show developers what types of tenants to look for when a vacancy arises in off-campus locations. "We put the information in our memory banks and we use it when we solicit tenants," he said. Walker said the overall objective of the study was to meet the needs of the University community. "Part of the purpose of the survey was to try to target the type of retailers that people would like to have," Walker said. "And of course we wanted to know what they liked that we already do have." She added that the most popular stores near campus are the shops at 3401 Walnut Street. Sixty-seven percent of the survey's respondents said they frequent the building's food court. "I don't know if it's because 3401 is newer, or because it has food and retail," she said. "It has a good mix." Of the respondents, 713 said they often dine in Center City, while more than 800 respondents claimed to frequent University City restaurants. Houston Hall was the second-most visited University City eatery, while Chili's, LeBus and Beijing restaurants were also popular. But many respondents said they wanted to see more restaurants near campus. Almost 200 students said they wanted a "nice" Italian restaurant, and 86 said they craved more Mexican food. More than 100 people wanted a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant off campus. Others suggested Olive Garden, Pizzeria Uno, Bennigan's, and International House of Pancakes restaurants. In addition to restaurants, respondents said they would like to see more retail shops in University City. Walker said she was not surprised to learn that a fifth of the respondents said there were not enough clothing stores near campus. "The thought around here is that we are under-retailed," Mason said. "There was a lot more shopping in Center City than we expected." According to Walker, 80 percent of respondents claimed to be brand-name buyers. "To me, it says people don't mind spending money," she said. "I think people buy brand names whether they can afford it or not." Respondents also said they prefer to shop at specialty stores and most said they would frequent J.Crew, Banana Republic and The Limited, if the stores were located near campus. Aside from clothing, respondents expressed a need for a grocery store near campus, as well as more bookstores, coffee cafes and convenience marts.