Consumers Surveyed in Effort to Lure Businesses

Rolling Hills Estates is one of the wealthiest communities in the country, but that hasn’t helped city officials figure out how to boost its sagging business climate.

So city officials have commissioned CIC Research Inc. of San Diego to survey 384 residents about their shopping habits, dining tastes, and entertainment preferences.

City Manager Doug Prichard said the $8,500 survey will be incorporated in a plan to attract businesses.

Recently, the city’s only mall, the Shops at Palos Verdes, lost both its anchor department stores. One of them, Robinson’s-May, generated $250,000 a year in sales taxes.

Also, residents are increasingly frequenting larger shopping centers outside the city, the city manager said.