Lafayette Parish records nearly $700 million in sales for March

People enter Academy in Lafayette at 5 a.m. to get the best deals on some idems Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.

Lafayette Parish had a historic March in terms of retail sales, shattering the previous record for sales in a single month by more than $28 million, according to data from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.

Lafayette Parish had nearly $700 million in taxable retail sales in March, an increase of 31.5%, or $167.2 million, from February. Before March 2021, the parish’s record for sales in a month was about $670 million in December 2014.

“It’s clear from these numbers as operating restrictions are eased and businesses re-open or expand their services, shoppers are ready to spend in Lafayette Parish,” says Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Studies show that 80 percent of consumers feel more or as connected to their communities now compared to pre-pandemic. I hope that connection and community support continues to carry over into supporting local businesses to further fuel our economic recovery.”