Study the market potential of business before opening up shop

Q: I am contemplating opening a home and gift store, and am trying to learn about the local market. Do you know of any sources that could provide me with data about revenue or sales per square foot for local merchants? I’m most interested in independent home accessory stores, or chains like Pottery Barn.

— Seeking Sales Data in San Francisco

Ilana DeBare

Full Answer: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/22/BUGKPHRT0S1.DTL