Lafayette Boasts Record Setting $6 Billion In 2013 Retail Sales

Lafayette's economic strength continues to shine in the face of national financial woes. A recent report by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority shows local retail sales in 2013 topped $6 billion dollars, the highest sales ever recorded for the city.

Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel dropped by “Nathan and Bernie in the Morning” to discuss the record sales and what they mean for the future of Lafayette.

"We had the 14th highest GDP in America, fastest wage growth, and the fastest job growth in America," remarked Durel. "It's a good sign for us."

In a statement released Thursday, Durel expanded on the record sales posted in 2013.

"Hitting the $6 billion mark in retail sales is an important milestone for us," said Durel. "More importantly, a 5 percent increase in sales in one year is a sign of the strong economy in our region. Lafayette continues to serve as a retail hub for our area, and we congratulate our local businesses for such a strong year."

LEDA reported Lafayette sales for the month of December 2013 alone were $596 million, up 7-percent over last year, while sales for greater Lafayette Parish remained flat, a statistic Durel says indicates Greater Lafayette Parish's reliance on the city of Lafayette as a retail hub.

You’re not going to have some of the national chain stores go into the smaller communities. - Joey Durel

The impressive economic record comes in the face of a recent questionable report that said Lafayette has one of the fastest shrinking economies in the country, a report that failed to produce sources when asked by reporters.

This came through the US Conference of Mayors, which I’ve never been overly impressed with in the first place… but it’s like any statistics, somebody found some way to twist the numbers somehow. - Joey Durel

The 2013 record sales are just one more feather in the cap for Lafayette's already impressive economic resume. The city counties to gain national recognition for stability in the face of national financial adversity.

"We had the 14th highest GDP in America, fastest wage growth, and the fastest job growth in America," remarked Durel. "It's a good sign for us."

To hear the full audio from the interview, click the play button below: