PR question!!! Help!!!!!?

Local citizens protest a big retail chain that wants to build a store in their town, because the new construction would wipe out a popular wooded area. Rival stores are frustrated, too. I need to find a favourable solution that will get the store built while preserving the store's goodwill with the citizens and the competitors.

I already have somewhat decent idea what the ideal solution would be, but I'm not sure what to do about the rival companies/stores. Can you help me, please?

Hey there.

I think I may have helped you out with part of this yesterday, here's how I'd address the Rival Store aspect.

Rival stores are always going to fear new competition - especially if it's a national chain with a lot of marketing clout behind it. Realistically, here is nothing you can do to assuage their fears. But you can help prospective customers feel better about the new store coming to town. Here are a couple of approaches:

1. Talk about the new jobs that will be created by the new store. Talk about how this will help support the local economy.
2. Talk about the tax revenues that will be generated once the store is built and operating. Talk about how these tax dollars will support local schools, hospitals and the city's infrastructure.
3. Give examples of how STORE NAME prides itself in supporting the local community. Perhaps you can draw upon case studies in the store's past.
4. Perhaps thought could be given to offering a college scholarship in the STORE'S name to a deserving student.
Or perhaps there is a fund raising effort that could use a generous boost. This might be a way for the store to say "We Care."

The approach the rival stores are going to take - and the ONLY approach they can take, really, - is to say "Look, here comes a big national chain store that is going to put us small folk out of business." Sadly, that may be true. In the face of such competition, smaller stores are forced to compete on the basis of service, because so few of them, if any, can compete on the basis of price. That's THEIR issue, not yours.

Your store needs to take the approach that you are bringing something good to the community. You might also bring to the public's attention that by coming to the area, your store is offering the community a wider selection of products or services than ever before - and doesn't your community deserve that?

Position your store in a positive manner. Don't try to respond to criticism - it will always be present.

Good luck with your project.