We are a national retail consulting, market research and development firm that combines strategy, technology, and creative expertise to develop and deliver high-impact retail recruitment and development strategies to local governments, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Through our unique Retail 360® process, we offer a fully customized system of products and services that better enable communities to maximize their retail development potential.
21+
Years
of Experience
650+
Clients Served
Throughout the U.S.
40 States
We’ve Worked in
40 States
90%+
of Clients Hire
Us Multiple Times
Retailers Recruited to Client Communities
…and hundreds more
What Clients Say About Us
Our Team
C. Kelly Cofer, CCIM
Founder & CEO
C. Kelly Cofer leads The Retail Coach with more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of retail real estate and economic development. Mr. Cofer’s professional background encompasses market research and site selection, advisory and leasing services, and property brokerage and development for leading national and regional retailers and restaurants in more than 150 cities throughout the United States. Mr. Cofer has earned the CCIM designation from the Chicago-based Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute and attended the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.
Aaron Farmer
President
Aaron Farmer brings to The Retail Coach knowledge of the most current research on retail and marketing trends. Prior to joining The Retail Coach, Mr. Farmer was employed in marketing research and retail development where he worked on projects for some of America’s leading retailers and restaurants including FedEx, Kinkos, Sally Beauty Supply, Adidas, Concentra and the National American Association of Subway Franchises. Mr. Farmer’s expertise touches each step of a project from the initial trade area determination to the actual recruitment of retailers. Mr. Farmer holds a degree in Marketing from The Mays Business School at Texas A&M University and an MBA from Texas A&M University – Commerce.
Nancy Dees
Director of Finance
At The Retail Coach Nancy Dees directs all administrative functions with efficiency and care. She is a number cruncher and a people person who loves getting lost in data. Mrs. Dees extensive management and accounting experience encompass some of America’s favorite retailers such as Kirkland’s. Mrs. Dees previous experience as a retail buyer and store inventory control manager provides helpful insight as she assists in the retailer research performed by The Retail Coach for each project.
Austin Farmer
Project Director
Austin Farmer brings experience in leadership in the economic development, non-profit, and financial services industries to The Retail Coach. Mr. Farmer started his career in marketing and digital strategy at GameStop. Following that, he founded Catalyst Growth Partners, a strategic marketing firm specializing in supporting high growth companies, and served as Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales for an international tax advisory firm where he led domestic and international marketing initiatives and oversaw international market development. Mr. Farmer is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he received a bachelor's degree in Marketing with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership and was a member of the distinguished Mays Fellows Program.
Charles Parker
Project Director
Charles Parker brings more than five years of experience in the fields of economic research and entrepreneurship to The Retail Coach. Prior to joining The Retail Coach, Mr. Parker served as Research Assistant at Mississippi State University. During his time at MSU, he conducted research exploring economic impacts of tourism and outdoor recreation on municipalities. The McKinney, Texas native holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University, where he continued on to earn his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees.
Matthew Lautensack
Director of Research & Development
New York native, Matthew Lautensack, brings a specialization in critical theory and technology integration to The Retail Coach team. During his tenure at The Retail Coach, he has brought efficiency to the operational processes, through automation, streamlining, and systematizing internal workflows. He was also the principal developer on a number of new products and services we are offering today. Prior to joining The Retail Coach, Mr. Lautensack was the Director of Information Technology at a natural soap company based out of upstate New York. A philosopher and self-taught programmer, Mr. Lautensack is efficient in user experience, digital platform design, e-commerce, automation, digital advertising and GIS.
Kyle Cofer
Project Director
Kyle brings more than 4 years of experience in real estate and entrepreneurship to The Retail Coach. As Project Director, Kyle oversees the retail recruitment process and leads his team to promote economic development in client communities. In this role, he works closely with local officials as well as retail site selectors, brokers, and developers. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a frequent speaker for municipal leagues and webinars. Kyle graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.
Caroline Harrelson
Retail Recruitment Specialist
Caroline Harrelson brings client oriented expertise to The Retail Coach. Prior to joining The Retail Coach she was the Director of International Services at Mississippi State University, she managed various international projects bringing a broader approach to The Retail Coach retail economic development recruitment methods. In the Recruitment Specialist role, Mrs. Harrelson is primarily responsible for spearheading the firm’s retail recruitment nationwide. Mrs. Harrelson holds a Masters in Public Policy and Administration combined with almost 10 years in upper administration and project management.
Cary Everitt
Recruitment Specialist
Cary joined The Retail Coach as an addition to the retail recruitment team. He comes from a background of almost 9 years in healthcare and retail management helping him gain exceptional relationship building skills and education in business development strategies. The main focus for Mr. Everitt at The Retail Coach is to identify and recruit interested restaurants and retailers to client communities contributing to market growth and expansion. He is currently in the process of obtaining his Texas real estate license in order to expand his knowledge in the field, allowing him to offer the best guidance and assistance to all current and future clients alike.
Aiden Berry
Research Analyst/ Special Projects
Aiden Berry joined The Retail Coach as an intern immediately following graduation from Texas A&M University prior to assuming the Research Analyst role. Mr. Berry specializes in data analysis and data visualization. He brings to the team experience in data science research projects in variety of fields. He uses his skills to assist The Retail Coach with daily tasks, research, data collection, visualization and other data related projects. Mr. Berry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in statistics from Texas A&MUniversity and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in statistics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.