North Battleford downtown. (file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RETAIL GAP ANALYSIS

Retail future bright for North Battleford, but report urges downtown revival

May 29, 2025 | 4:24 PM

A new retail analysis for North Battleford shows the city could support up to 275,000 square feet of new commercial development by 2034, but planners warn that downtown revitalization must remain a priority.

City council reviewed the final retail gap analysis Monday during its regular meeting, which outlines market conditions, land needs and future growth projections across the city’s six commercial areas.

The report, prepared by consulting firm FBM, estimates that under current market share and with no absorption of existing vacancies, about 150,000 square feet of new retail space could be supported. That figure rises to 275,000 square feet if the city increases its market capture and fills currently vacant storefronts.

“We estimate that it could be 7 to 17 acres of net developable land over the next decade to support growth,” said Kieron Hunt, FBM’s planning lead, who presented the report to council.

Much of that demand is expected in the south and east sides of the city, including ongoing development around Eagles Landing. The report recommends that downtown and Downtown North instead focus on infill, redevelopment and creative reuse of space.

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“We always want to stress the importance here is that you ensure your retail growth doesn’t come at the expense of downtown,” Hunt said. “The downtown continues to be a challenge.”

The city currently has about 996,000 square feet of retail floor space. Vacancy across all nodes sits at 9.9 per cent — a level above industry norms. However, that figure includes large vacant properties like the former Giant Tiger and Peavey Mart, along with new but unleased space at Eagles Landing.

“If we did exclude those from our calculations, your vacancy would actually drop about 6 per cent, which is pretty close,” Hunt said.

“There’s opportunities to take a look at those vacancies in a different way,” Hunt said. “In some markets, buildings like that are converted into civic spaces — pickleball or others.”

The downtown Business Improvement District has the highest vacancy rate of all retail zones and is almost entirely composed of independently owned businesses, 94 per cent local.

“Probably unsurprisingly to most of you, you have about just under 213,000 square feet of occupied space.”

In contrast, the south node, anchored by Walmart, Canadian Tire and others, is 92 per cent chain or franchise.

The report also lists potential retail targets for North Battleford. Near-term prospects include Popeyes Louisiana Chicken, IHOP, Planet Fitness, Value Village and Winners. Longer-term opportunities include Real Canadian Superstore, Save-On-Foods and FreshCo.

Planners say the city is performing reasonably well compared to its regional market. North Battleford captures about 45 per cent of trade area retail spending — a share Hunt described as “a pretty reasonable level.” The total trade area population was estimated at 41,171 in 2024, projected to reach 42,957 by 2034. Per capita retail space sits at 24 square feet, which is considered healthy.

Retail spending in North Battleford’s trade area was estimated at $667.8 million in 2024, including automotive and health care services. When those sectors were excluded, total spending on retail merchandise categories — such as grocery and convenience($115.5 million), home improvement and garden ($45.5 million), restaurants and pubs ($ 38.9 million) — amounts to $433.6 million.

The trade area includes the city and surrounding rural municipalities, Indigenous communities and smaller towns that rely on the city as a regional retail hub.

The map of the trade area. (photo/FBM )

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the findings should be used to support local economic growth.

“I hope we can take this and distribute it so that it can actually get adopted,” she said. “We have to somehow bridge the gap of the information and knowledge we have to be able to support growth in the business sector.”

The report has been made public and will be shared with the Chamber of Commerce, commercial landowners and local business groups. Click here for the report presentation slideshow.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com