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By Curtis Galbraith
Economy

Report says retail sales up in Grande Prairie

Jan 19, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Retail sales were up in Grande Prairie last year, according to the city’s Retail Market and Gap Analysis report.

Total sales were $5 billion.

The report also showed Grande Prairie has a catchment area of 295,000 people in northwestern Alberta and northeastern B.C.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says these numbers will help attract businesses to the city.

“Within a two-and-a-half-hour drive time, we are almost 300,000 people. When you talk to people who are looking to invest in our community, whether it’s in hospitality or retail. it really is a significant number.”

“We are the largest region in northern Alberta and so to have that really is a drawing card (for) future investment and economic development and we’re really proud to be able to be that urban centre that of many people.”

Clayton says Grande Prairie will pass 85,000 jobs in the coming years.

She adds the city can use this data to create profiles for people looking to invest here.

“When (city department) Invest GP goes to a trade show to talk about investment and attraction, the data from that report is significant.”

“It also is an opportunity for the city, the county (of Grande Prairie) and the MD (of Greenview) to collaborate on attractions and investments.”

Clayton says updated numbers like this are not only important for investment attraction but also in conversations with the federal and provincial governments about business in this region.

by Curtis Galbraith