LAFAYETTE PARISH – (PRESS RELEASE) With more than $518 million in sales in November, 2018 year-to-date taxable sales have reached $5.47 billion. Year-to-date sales are up 4.4% from 2017 and up 5.6% from 2016. November sales are up 11.5% compared to 2017. The last ten months have seen over-the-year increases.
Total taxable sales are up in all municipalities compared to 2017- Lafayette (1.4%) Broussard (14.8%), Carencro (9.1%), Duson (28.2%), Scott (17.3%), Youngsville (19.3%) and unincorporated areas of the parish (3.7%).
Within the City of Lafayette, year-to-date sales are up in the food, auto, furniture, and miscellaneous/other categories- 7.8% to 0.5%. Apparel, general merchandise, building materials, and services are down- 0.5% to 5.2%.
“Shopping in local stores keeps sales tax revenue in our community to support schools, jobs, roads and safety. Strong retail and service industries have played a key role in stabilizing Lafayette’s economy the past four years,” says Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Our forecasting model shows a strong end to the year with more than $600 million in sales expected in December, which will put us at the second highest total on record.”
Sales tax collection numbers are gathered by the Lafayette Parish School System.
