Survey to quiz valley’s shopping habits

    The Town of Drumheller will be conducting a survey which will poll valley residents on their shopping habits, a media release said Thursday.     “We want to make sure that consumer dollars stay in the valley,” said Mayor Terry Yemen, who suggested in December the Economic Development Department conduct a survey in order to better understand retail and service gaps.
    “This survey will give us some direction on areas we need to work on.”
    A retail and service industry survey will be sent out with this week’s water bills, and is also available online at the town’s website, www.dinosaurvalley.com.
    The survey will quiz residents about their online shopping, products residents shop out of town for, professional services residents must obtain out of town, what types of services the valley needs, and what types of retail the valley could use.
    “Consumer habits have changed drastically in the last 10 years with online shopping, obligatory trips to larger centers for various services and the ease of transportation to the major centers,” said Economic Development Officer Ray Telford.
    “Dollars leaving the trading area is a concern in every community. This survey will shed some light on services we need, retail we may require and reasons why people might shop out of town.”
    The results of the survey will provide the Town of Drumheller with updated information for the attraction and retention of businesses.
    “Participation by our residents will be greatly appreciated,” said Telford.