Restaurant/Retail Survey:
Report on the Responses
University City Associates, Inc. (UCA) leases and manages six
retail shopping centers on or near the Penn campus. From time to time,
UCA sponsors retail/restaurant surveys for the purpose of understanding
customers' needs to better serve the Penn community. Information
gathered from the surveys is useful in the retail planning process.
UCA's most recent survey was conducted electronically on the
World Wide Web. The survey ran for three weeks, from January 22 to
February 9, 1996, and was advertised daily in The Daily
Pennsylvanian. Announcements about how to access the survey were
also made in Almanac, including information about how to get a
paper survey for those unable to access the survey by computer. Anyone
who viewed "What's New" on the Penn Home Page could access the
survey via the Department of Real Estate Home Page.
As an incentive to fill out the survey, prizes in the form of
eight gift certificates were awarded in a drawing at the end of the
survey. In keeping with the flavor of the survey, UCA purchased these
gift certificates from local restaurants and retail stores. The reaction
was fantastic! We received 959 responses by computer and 41 responses by
paper for a total of 1,000 responses.
Most of the information has been tallied electronically. The
answers to the text questions had to be tallied by hand. Of the 1,000
responses, 14 of the paper surveys were received too late to input into
the computer, so the results in this report are based on the responses
from 986 surveys.The breakdown of the 1,000 respondants is as follows:
624 Undergraduate Students (62%)
169 Faculty/Staff (17%)
136 Graduate Students (14%)
43 Other (4%)
20 Medical Center Employees (2%)
8 HUP Employees (1%)
1,000 (100%)
As of November 1995, approximately 22,000 students (including 4,000
part-time) were enrolled at Penn. Of these, 10,000 are undergraduates,
10,000 are graduate/professionals, and 2,000 are other. 4% of the
student population responded to the survey.
This report contains each survey question followed by the tally
results and pertinent statistics. There are four sections to the tally:
- Section 1. Questions 1 through 6--Restaurant
portion;
- Section 2. Questions 7 through 11--Retail and shopping
portion;
- Section 3. Questions 12 through 15--"Comment" portion;
- Section 4. Comment quotes.
(Except for Question 6, Questions 1 through 11 were multiple choice,
and respondants could answer in as much detail as they desired.)
--Helen Walker, Project Manager, Real Estate
Restaurant Section
- Where do you go to eat?
(Respondents could pick more
than one destination.)
Respondents Destination Breakdown
869 (88%) University City 136 faculty/staff
571 undergrads
111 grads
51 other
713 (72%) Center City 110 faculty/staff
450 undergrads
103 grads
50 other
437 (44%) South Street 60 faculty/staff
311 undergrads
43 grads
23 other
188 (19%) Suburbs 73 faculty/staff
62 undergrads
27 grads
26 other
125 (13%) Malls 27 faculty/staff
74 undergrads
13 grads
11 other
120 (12%) Manayunk 38 faculty/staff
45 undergrads
19 grads
18 other
113 (12%) Other 40 faculty/staff
48 undergrads
13 grads
12 other
- How many times a month do you eat out for breakfast, lunch
and dinner?
Times Per
Month For Breakfast Lunch Dinner
0 497 (51%) 46 ( 5%) 23 ( 2%)
1-3 283 (28%) 126 (13%) 125 (13%)
3-5 98 (10%) 173 (18%) 198 (20%)
5-10 57 ( 6%) 279 (28%) 329 (33%)
10-15 26 ( 3%) 129 (13%) 182 (19%)
15-20 11 ( 1%) 129 (13%) 82 ( 8%)
20-30 13 ( 1%) 104 (10%) 47 ( 5%)
986 (100%) 986 (100%) 986 (100%)
The breakdown of each underlined number above for undergraduate
students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
-
Of the 283 people who eat breakfast
out 1-3 times a month:
- 178 (63%) are undergraduates--29% of UG
- 47 (17%) are faculty/staff--28% of FS
- 36 (13%) are graduate students--26% of GS
Of the 279 people who eat lunch out 5-10 times a month:
- 192 (69%) are undergraduates--31% of UG
- 41 (15%) are faculty/staff--25% of FS
- 31 (11%) are graduate students--23% of GS
Of the 329 people who eat dinner out 5-10 times a month:
- 225 (68%) are undergraduates--36% of UG
- 43 (13%) are faculty/staff--26% of FS
- 36 (11%) are graduate students--26% of GS
- When you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out, how many of these meals are in University City?
Amount For Breakfast Lunch Dinner
None 551 (55%) 65 ( 7%) 120 (12%)
Some 105 (11%) 101 (10%) 414 (42%)
Most 104 (11%) 434 (44%) 399 (41%)
All 226 (23%) 386 (39%) 53 ( 5%)
986 (100%) 986 (100%) 986 (100%)
The breakdown of each underlined number above for undergraduate students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
Of the 551 people who eat none of their breakfast meals out in University City:
- 349 (63%) are undergraduates--56% of UG
- 86 (16%) are faculty/staff--14% of FS
- 80 (15%) are graduate students--59% of GS
Of the 434 people who eat most of their lunch meals out in University City:
- 273 (63%) are undergraduates--44% of UG
- 87 (20%) are faculty/staff--52% of FS
- 48 (11%) are graduate students--35% of GS
Of the 399 people who eat some of their dinner meals out in University City:
- 337 (84%) are undergraduates--54% of UG
- 16 ( 4%) are faculty/staff--10% of FS
- 37 ( 9%) are graduate students--27% of GS
- When you eat out, how much do you typically spend per
person for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
For breakfast: $ 5.00
For lunch: $ 5.00
For dinner: $10.00
- . Which restaurants in University City do you frequent most?
Top Ten Choices Other Choices
666 (68%) 3401 Food Court White Dog Cafe
542 (55%) Houston Hall Salad Alley/Boccie
449 (46%) Chili's Cavanaugh's
443 (45%) LeBus Won's Oriental
423 (43%) Beijing Fiesta Pizza
330 (34%) Allegro Pizza Han Wool
315 (32%) Burger King Smokey Joe's
296 (30%) Boston Market College Pizza
291 (30%) Other O'Hara's Fish House
247 (25%) McDonald's
The breakdown of the above for undergraduate students, faculty/staff
and graduate students is:
Destination Undergrads Faculty/Staff Grad Students
3401 Food Court 430 (69%) 120 (72%) 82 (60%)
Houston Hall 368 (59%) 71 (43%) 68 (50%)
Chili's 325 (52%) 59 (36%) 44 (32%)
LeBus 247 (40%) 98 (59%) 64 (47%)
Beijing 265 (43%) 79 (48%) 42 (31%)
Allegro Pizza 239 (38%) 41 (25%) 38 (28%)
Burger King 234 (38%) 31 (19%) 37 (27%)
Boston Market 204 (33%) 47 (28%) 29 (21%)
Other 162 (26%) 52 (31%) 56 (41%)
McDonald's 187 (30%) 23 (14%) 27 (20%)
- What restaurants/types would you like in University City?
(This was a comment question with no multiple choice options.)
Top Ten Restaurants Top Ten Types of Restaurants
110 TGI Friday's 175 Italian
47 Olive Garden 86 Mexican
33 Pizzaria Uno 46 Chinese
29 Denny's 33 American
29 Wendy's 26 Japanese
25 Bennigan's 25 Seafood
24 Pizza Hut 24 Thai
22 IHOP 14 Greek
17 Taco Bell 14 Middle East
16 Au Bon Pain 12 Vietnamese
Additional Suggestions
(Each of the following suggestions was made by 20 or more people):
a 24-hour diner, especially for late-night hanging out and breakfast
a less expensive, nice, sit-down restaurant
a restaurant which serves healthy food
a vegetarian restaurant
another upscale restaurant besides White Dog
a deli-type restaurant
24-hour coffee cafes
Retail and Shopping Section
- What percent of your shopping is done in University City for goods, services and food?
Percent of
Shopping for Goods Services Food
0% 50 ( 5%) 103 (10%) 40 ( 4%)
10% 285 (29%) 248 (25%) 126 (13%)
25% 248 (25%) 179 (18%) 154 (16%)
50% 186 (19%) 123 (13%) 158 (16%)
75% 181 (18%) 228 (23%) 319 (32%)
100% 36 ( 4%) 105 (11%) 189 (19%)
986 (100%) 986 (100%) 986 (100%)
The breakdown of each underlined number above for undergraduate students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
Of the 285 people who do 10% of their shopping for goods in University City:
- 107 (38%) are undergraduates--17% of UG
- 88 (31%) are faculty/staff--53% of FS
- 49 (17%) are graduate students--36% of GS
Of the 228 people who do 75% of their shopping for services in University City:
- 190 (83%) are undergraduates--31% 0f UG
- 9 ( 4%) are faculty/staff--5% of FS
- 26 (11%) are graduate students--19% of GS
Of the 319 people who do 75% of their shopping for food in University City:
- 269 (82%) are undergraduates--43% of UG
- 21 ( 7%) are faculty/staff--13% of FS
- 35 (11%) are graduate students--26% of GS
- Which University City Shopping Center do you frequent most, and which has the best mix?
Most Frequented
- No. 1: 34th & Walnut--Shops at Penn
- No. 2: 38th & Walnut--University Plaza
- No. 3: 38th & Spruce--Stouffer Triangle
- No. 4: 39th & Walnut--Walnut Mall
- No. 5: 38th & Walnut--New Garage
- No. 6: 40th & Walnut--University City Shopping Center
- No. 7: 36th & Chestnut--Blue Corner Stores
The breakdown of the above for undergraduate students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
Destination Undergrads Faculty/Staff Grad Students
34th & Walnut (Shops at Penn) 451 (73%) 132 (80%) 81 (60%)
38th & Walnut (University Plaza) 371 (60%) 113 (68%) 78 (57%)
38th & Spruce (Stouffer Triangle) 339 (55%) 62 (37%) 48 (35%)
3900 Walnut (Walnut Mall) 320 (51%) 31 (19%) 43 (32%)
38th & Walnut (Parking garage) 143 (23%) 46 (28%) 29 (21%)
40th & Walnut (UC Shop. Ctr.) 110 (18%) 35 (21%) 38 (30%)
36th & Chestnut (Blue Cor. Stores) 71 (22%) 29 (17%) 31 (23%)
Best Mix Most Frequented
No. 1: 34th & Walnut - Shops at Penn No. 1
No. 2: 39th & Walnut - Walnut Mall No. 4
No. 3: 38th & Spruce - Stouffer Triangle No. 3
No. 4: 40th & Walnut - Univ. City Shopping Center No. 6
No. 5: 38th & Walnut - New Garage No. 5
No. 6: 38th & Walnut - University Plaza No. 2
No. 7: 36th & Chestnut - Blue Corner Stores No. 7
The breakdown of the above for undergraduate students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
Destination Undergrads Faculty/Staff Grad Students
34th & Walnut (Shops at Penn) 424 (68%) 101 (61%) 83 (61%)
3900 Walnut (Walnut Mall) 55 ( 9%) 8 ( 5%) 9 ( 7%)
38th & Spruce (Stouffer Triangle) 54 ( 9%) 18 (11%) 7 ( 5%)
40th & Walnut (UC Shop. Ctr.) 49 ( 8%) 11 ( 7%) 12 ( 9%)
38th & Walnut (Parking garage) 11 ( 2%) 1 ( 1%) 2 ( 1%)
38th & Walnut (University Plaza) 10 ( 2%) 8 ( 5%) 9 ( 7%)
36th & Chestnut (Blue Cor. Stores) 2 ( 1%) 1 ( 1%) 2 ( 1%)
- How much shopping do you do in the following areas?
Location None Some Most All
University City 76 ( 8%) 627 (64%) 265 (27%) 18 ( 2%)
Center City 125 (13%) 621 (63%) 233 (24%) 7 ( 1%)
South Street 610 (62%) 368 (37%) 7 ( 1%) 1 ( 1%)
Suburbs 618 (63%) 221 (22%) 140 (14%) 7 ( 1%)
Malls 345 (35%) 474 (48%) 160 (16%) 7 ( 1%)
Other 666 (68%) 270 (27%) 48 ( 5%) 2 ( 1%)
The breakdown of each underlined number above for undergraduate
students, faculty/staff and graduate students is:
Of the 627 people who do some of their shopping in University City:
- 347 (55%) are undergraduates--56% of UG
- 139 (22%) are faculty/staff--84% of FS
- 93 (15%) are graduate students--68% of GS
Of the 621 people who do some of their shopping in Center City:
- 415 (67%) are undergraduates--67% of UG
- 91 (15%) are faculty/staff--55% of FS
- 77 (12%) are graduate students--57% of GS
Of the 265 people who do most of their shopping in University City:
- 222 (84%) are undergraduates--36% of UG
- 10 ( 4%) are faculty/staff--6% of FS
- 29 (11%) are graduate students--21% of GS
-
Of the 233 people who do most of their shopping in Center City:
- 146 (63%) are undergraduates--23% of UG
- 32 (14%) are faculty/staff--19% of FS
- 40 (17%) are graduate students--29% of GS
- Are you a brand name buyer?
80% of the respondants indicate they are brand name buyers.
- In which type of store and where do you do most of your
shopping for the following items?
Item Type of Store Location
Books Specialty stores 78% University City 60%
Center City 22%
Clothing Specialty stores 48% Center City 45%
Department stores 34% Other 25%
University City 9%
Electronics Specialty stores 65% Other 39%
Discount stores 14% Center City 25%
University City 18%
Housewares Department stores 34% Other 33%
Discount stores 29% Center City 30%
Specialty stores 24% University City 11%
Shoes Specialty stores 61% Center City 41%
Department stores 22% Other 31%
University City 11%
Sporting goods Specialty stores 68% Center City 33%
Department stores 11% Other 31%
University City 11%
Video
retail/sales Specialty stores 73% University City 47%
Other 25%
Comment Section
The following questions had no parameters and no multiple choice
options. Respondants could answer in as much detail as they wished.
- What retailers would you like to see in the University
City area?
185 (19%) would like more clothing stores.
132 (13%) would like a good supermarket.
110 (11%) would like another shoe store.
88 ( 9%) would like a hardware/housewares/variety store.
79 ( 8%) would like a sporting goods
store.
-
60 or more would like the following
chains:
Banana Republic
J. Crew
The Limited.
- Would you patronize the above retailers if they were
located at the Western end of campus (39th to 41st Streets, Chestnut to
Spruce)?
84% would (or currently do) patronize the Western end of campus.
If no, why?
16% do not patronize the Western end of
campus for the following reasons:
6% feel it is unsafe
10% feel it is too far, or prefer Center City.
- What restaurants, services and retail are needed within
the medical complex (south side of campus--34th and Spruce, Civic
Center Boulevard area)?
30% would like more restaurants and eateries
in the area.
8% would like a full service drugstore
such as CVS, Thrift Drug, etc.
The balance of the replies were divided among the following:
Clothing store
Supermarket
Bookstore
Coffee cafes
Convenience store
Post office/magazines/newspaper establishment
- What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the retail and restaurants in and around the Penn campus area?
Strengths
Some respondants feel the best aspects of the retail and restaurants are convenience and variety.
Of those who responded to this question, 11% like the convenience and 9.8% think there is good variety.
Others commented on the good restaurant mix and diversity of the retail.
Weaknesses
19.8% of the respondants think that most of the retail stores and some of the restaurants are "too expensive." They think there are not enough sales and feel they can get better deals elsewhere.
12.9% of the respondants think there is not enough "selection" or "variety," particularly in the retail stores. They think that merchandise does not change often enough.
Other weaknesses mentioned in the survey:
Not enough retail
No good grocery store/supermarket
Not enough clothing stores
Not enough good, reasonably priced, sit-down restaurants
Retail and food establishments are not open late enough; not enough places to "hang out" in at night
Poor service
Some Quotes From Survey Respondents
"Unimart could keep regular hours, and be open when it says it will be open."
"The donuts at Dunkin Donuts are more expensive than they are only 6 blocks away . . ."
"The food court is crowded and plagued by the homeless at night."
"Wawa on Spruce Street . . . has no
competition so items are quite expensive and employees are rude."
"We finally have a decent drugstore (Thrift)
within a few blocks of Vance Hall."
"People are so sick of the food court and
Houston Hall that a Friday's or Houlihan's would make a fortune here . . ."
"I am very new to Penn's campus and unfamiliar with the area. I have limited knowledge of what stores/restaurants exist in the area and I'm not sure how to find out."
"The most sorely lacking area is around Houston Hall. That vendors offer the best food clearly says something."
"Bookstore should be open on Sundays. CVS is in a good location and always open which makes it easy."
"CVS is always stocked and clean."
"Not enough free parking."
"The best improvement has been the addition of Bucks County and Chimes."
"All in all, I think the campus has done a
fairly decent job in the retail and restaurant business around
campus."
"It would be nice to move another restaurant
into the space left vacant by Italian Bistro."
"The Gap and Software, Etc. are really
useful and handy."
"Good job on getting the movie theatre
back."
"I would like to see some stores which sell
fresh produce, at a reasonable price."
"Something like Woolworth's, which has
absolutely everything, including a food counter, all for reasonable
prices. I can't see a store like this being
anything but a goldmine for the owner, and a huge convenience for
everyone on campus."
"More clothing/department store types of
shops--it's a hassle to go to center city, especially on public
transportation."
"I would like a replacement for the Italian
Bistro and La Terrasse."
"Maybe a really nice Italian
restaurant."
Almanac
Volume 43 Number 4
September 17, 1996
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