Sharp Dressed Man

Retail sales in the New Orleans area are making a brisk comeback according this New Orleans CityBusiness article that focuses on a couple of New Orleans' men's clothiers.

The city of New Orleans collected $36.7 million in sales taxes during the last quarter of 2004 compared with $24.3 million during the last quarter of 2005. Retailers say the 34 percent drop isn’t bad considering less than half of city residents had returned.

Perlis Inc., a clothing company with stores on Magazine Street and in Mandeville, earned $7.8 million in 2005, an 8 percent increase over $7.2 million in 2004.

“There was a whole ‘buy locally’ theme at Christmas time,� said President David Perlis. “People told us that they saved their money and spent it here. Sales were very, very good, and we’re extremely pleased. We wonder if this will continue for a year or two or is it just a temporary thing?�

Although I don't have a link to any article, the City of Gretna is seeing an increase in sales-tax revenue over 2005 due mostly to a single retailer, Home Depot.