Homewood's retail state strong

UAB Marketing Professor Dr. Robert Robicheaux addressed the Homewood Chamber of Commerce about the state of the retail sales in the city at its April luncheon this week.

Fifty-five percent, or $300 million, of retail and food sales in Homewood come from non-Homewood residents, Robicheaux’s data showed. In turn, Homewood also gains $7.48 million on sales tax receipts from nonresidents and $7.15 million from residents.

“That’s great,” he said. “That’s like a theme park. Homewood has a retail tradition that began in the 60s and 70s when businesses established themselves here. You should celebrate your retail success.”

Robicheaux also said that the amount of retail sales among non-residents is not as common in other areas of Birmingham. Vestavia Hills, he said, is the opposite.

Homewood’s city retail demand is $10,427 per person, $24,539 per household and $485,602 per retailer.

Robicheaux is the chair of the Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics department as well as a Marshall Scholar at UAB.