LAFAYETTE, La. — With more than $661.8 million in taxable sales in September, year-to-date taxable sales reached $5.64 billion in Lafayette Parish.
September 2021 sales were 9.9% higher than sales in September 2020.
Year-to-date sales were 21.6% higher than 2020 and 20.6% higher than 2019.
September 2021 sales are the highest on record for the month of September, according to a spokesperson for Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA).
President and CEO of one Acadiana Chamber of Commerce, Troy Wayman, says the growth is far better than expected.
"Jobs are coming back. Those who want to go back to work are able to go back to work and so they're spending money that they've held back for the past couple years,” Wayman said.
Year-to-date taxable sales are up in all municipalities in the parish — Lafayette (21.1%), Broussard (19.7%), Carencro (39.0%), Duson (24.3%), Scott (17.6%), and Youngsville (25.8%). Sales are also up in unincorporated areas of the parish at 17.9%.
John Allen, manager of The Real Deal clothing store, says he believes being there for customers during the pandemic left a lasting impression.
"A lot of people were closed, we were open to serve. It's like you're putting your life on the line to serve your community, and that's what we did here. It was unsafe and we tried to protect ourselves, but we know at the end of the day families needed our help during their time of sorrow."
Allen also says giving his customers excellent service shows them you're not just a business, but you care.
"You've got to show them, hey, it's not all about your money; we're going to give you a discount; we're going to show you some love; we're concerned about your needs. Everybody doesn't have a lot of money when they come into this store, but we show them some love, and I think that's what it is, good customer service. They'll say customer service? Yes, customer service."
LEDA's forecasting model estimates total taxable sales could reach $7.37 billion in 2021, which would be the highest on record. Officials say taxable sales are expected to continue to increase as the holidays approach, allowing for more funding for local governments and schools.
Sales tax collection numbers are gathered by the Lafayette Parish School System.
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