Lafayette Parish recorded $619.9 million in taxable retail sales in May, giving the parish three consecutive months with more than $600 million in sales for the first time on record, according to data from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.
May was the fifth-best month for retail sales in the parish’s history, according to LEDA. May’s sales were up 26.6% from $489.8 million in May 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and health-related restrictions were at their peak.
“Our community continues a healthy rebound from 2020. This is the first time we’ve had sales over $600 million for three consecutive months,” said Gregg Gothreaux, president and chief executive of LEDA. “LEDA’s forecast through May shows the potential for another record-breaking year with projected taxable sales between $6.8 and $7.3 billion.”
Year to date, sales have reached about $3.05 billion — around 26% higher than the $2.42 billion the parish had recorded through May of 2020.
The City of Lafayette, which accounts for about 68% of the parish’s total sales, recorded $421.7 million in sales in May. May’s sales were up 29.6% from $325.4 million in May 2020.
City sales have totaled $2.06 billion through May, up 26.4% from $1.63 billion at the same point in 2020.
Within the city, food sales accounted for $97.5 million of May’s sales, up 19.9% from $81.3 million in May 2020. On the year, food sales total $465.5 million, an increase of 15.1% from 2020’s $404.4 million.
Apparel sales — one of the categories hardest hit by the pandemic — totaled $16.9 million in May, up 143% from $7 million in May 2020. Year to date, apparel sales total $78.1 million, up 87.3% from 2020’s $41.7 million.
General merchandise sales accounted for $120.3 million of May’s sales, up 9.2% from $110.1 million in May 2020. On the year, the city has had $581 million in merchandise sales, up 17.6% from $493.9 million in 2020.
Automotive sales totaled $52.8 million in May, up 37.2% from $38.5 million in May 2020. Year to date, auto sales total $254 million, an increase of 27.9% from $198.6 million in 2020.
The city had $25.8 million in furniture sales for May, an increase of 27.9% from the $20.1 million in May 2020. Year to date, the city has $116 million in furniture sales, up 13.8% from $102 million in 2020.
Building material sales totaled $40.4 million in May, up 7.4% from $37.6 million in May 2020. On the year, building material sales total $203.6 million, up 13.1% from $179.9 million at the same point in 2020.
Sales for services totaled $43 million in May, an increase of 91% from $22.5 million in May 2020. Service sales total $160.9 million in 2020, up 32% from $121.9 million in 2020.
Other sales accounted for $40.1 million in May, up 97.2% from $20.3 million in May 2020. Year to date, other sales total $220 million, up 74.7% from $125.9 million in 2020.
Broussard recorded $51.1 million in sales in May, up 15.7% from $44.2 million in May 2020. On the year, Broussard’s sales are up 14.8%.
Carencro had $37.7 million in sales in May, an increase of 28.6% from $25.4 million in May 2020. On the year, Carencro’s sales are up 49.6%.
Duson had $3.6 million in sales in May, up 29.3% from $2.8 million in May 2020. Year to date, Duson’s sales are up 33.3% from 2020.
Scott had $24.6 million in sales during May, an increase of 18.7% from $20.7 million in May 2020. On the year, Scott’s sales are up 21.6%.
Youngsville recorded $32.8 million in May, up 30.3% from May 2020’s $25.2 million. Year to date, Youngsville’s sales are up 28.8%.
The unincorporated parts of the parish had $53.4 million in sales during May, up 15.9% from May 2020’s $46.1 million. On the year, the area’s sales are up 21.3%.