Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Branson retail sales top $1B

Retail sales for November 2006–November 2007 were $1.003 billion, the city announced Feb. 29. The year saw a 5.2 percent increase in visitors to 8.4 million, compared to 7.9 million in 2006, according to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s absolutely incredible that a city of 7,400 has that amount of retail sales in a one-year period, but Branson isn’t your ordinary small city,” interim City Administrator Frank Schoneboom said in a news release.

“This reflects the fact that Branson has the products, services and entertainment that people from around the country love to spend their money on,” Schoneboom added.

Branson tax revenues set records in 2007 as well. The city recorded $14.8 million in sales tax revenue and $12.1 million in tourism tax revenue. Contributing factors, according to a separate release, were the first full year for Branson Landing and Branson Hills Plaza, the new Branson Convention Center and additional marketing dollars provided to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce through the Tourism Community Enhancement District.

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