About Us

Ed Smith & Associates is a top consulting firm specializing in site location research, sales forecasting and strategic planning for the retail and real estate industry. Since its establishment in 1996, ESA has served over sixty clients in evaluating retail sites and related issues. With over 80 years of combined professional experience, ESA has the expertise to assist you in the strategic placement and sales forecasting of your stores.

Ed Smith Ed Smith has thirty years of professional experience in retail site location research. He began his career with The Kroger Co. in 1981, where his tenure included positions as Competition Field Analyst in Orlando, Florida for the southeastern United States; Real Estate Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Area in Roanoke, Virginia; and Senior Manager of Site Location Research at its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1993, Ed became a Vice President for the international research firm of Thompson Associates, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1996, Ed established his own research firm, Ed Smith & Associates, which has grown to serve over eighty retail development and retail store clients, including six chains ranked in the top ten of sales performance in the nation. Ed received his Masters Degree in Geography and Bachelor of Science in Education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Jessica Lykins Jessica Lykins joined Ed Smith & Associates in 2002. Jessica organizes and oversees project production and ensures a timely delivery of the final research product. In addition, Jessica has been responsible for preparing special reports analyzing the economic trends and demographic profiles of trade areas and communities. Jessica graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications.
Greg Kerr Greg joined Ed Smith & Associates as a site location analyst in 1998. His responsibilities include sales forecasting, population projections, custom mapping and analysis of customer loyalty card data. Greg has been instrumental in forecasting over 700 potential store sites for clients such as Kroger, Harris Teeter and Winn Dixie. Greg received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
Andrew Knoll Andrew Knoll graduated with a degree in Urban Planning from Miami University. He joined Ed Smith & Associates as a site location analyst in 2001. His work has ranged from supermarket sales forecasting to identifying optimal school, medical, and shopping center locations. He has provided sales forecasts for over 500 retail locations. Custom mapping through G.I.S. is one of his specialties, as well as population growth research.