Lafayette retail sales are fourth-highest on record

Last year’s retail sales of $4.8 billion were the fourth-highest on record for Lafayette Parish. The year began with January sales down 14.35% from 2009; however, retailers saw a surge in spending during the second half of the year, ending at 0.78% more than 2009. In fact, the last five months of the year saw higher individual monthly sales than in 2009, and December sales were more than $517 million. “When 2010 began with a 14% deficit from 2009 many people in the community were concerned the national recession had finally hit Acadiana. However, month by month, total retail sales closed the gap until finally surpassing 2009 numbers with a successful December,” says Gregg Gothreaux, president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “These steadily-increasing numbers show the resilience and diversity of the local economy even when faced with national economic woes and consequences from the drilling moratorium.” Retail sales numbers are reported by the Lafayette Parish School System.