Lafayette Parish Posts Second-highest Taxable Sales Year For 2018
Feb 20, 2019 07:44AM ● By Staff Writer
With more than $577 million in sales in December 2018, taxable sales in Lafayette Parish reached just over $6 billion, the second highest on record. The previous retail sales record was set in 2014 when sales topped $6.4 billion. Sales ended the year up 4.0% from 2017 and up 4.7% from 2016.
“[2018] Holiday shopping met LEDA’s forecast of $1 billion which is an encouraging sign for continued upward momentum. Taxable sales have rebounded from the decline that began in 2015,” says Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.
Gothreaux reminds consumers that shopping local stores keeps sales tax revenue in our community to support schools, jobs, roads, and safety.
Total taxable sales ended up in all municipalities compared to 2017— Lafayette (1.1%) Broussard (13.25%), Carencro (8.0%), Duson (25.8%), Scott (17.0%), Youngsville (18.4%) and unincorporated areas of the parish (4.4%).
Within the City of Lafayette, year-end sales were up in the food, auto, furniture, and miscellaneous/other categories, while apparel, general merchandise, building materials, and services were down.
Sources: LEDA and the Lafayette Parish School Board Sales Tax Division.
