Delray Beach, FL (October 23, 2014)…Downtown Delray Beach DDA District retail and restaurant sales volume from 2008-2013 has increased by $62 million. The additional sales totaled $237,008,429, a 35.4% increase in retail and restaurant business over the past five years. The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority requests figures from the State of Florida Department of Revenue to track growth in the retail and food/beverage categories. During that same five-year span, Palm Beach County’s growth in the same two categories was 10.9%.
“The DDA has consistently worked with the merchants and businesses in the downtown Delray Beach area on economic development, marketing, and maintaining a clean, safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors to our Village by the Sea, and wow has it paid off!” said, David Cook, Chairman of the Board, Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Merchant.
The DDA created a mix of merchant marketing programs which enhanced this growth in sales. Elements of the promotional program included an aggressive schedule of merchant events, ongoing media presence, a dedicated Downtown website and meeting regularly with retailers and restaurateurs to maintain communication, offer assistance with cooperative advertising programs and provide marketing materials. A concentrated effort to expand the nightime economy has also helped maintain the growth, with lighting and security being addressed, as well as stores, galleries and restaurants extending their evening hours.
“Downtown Delray, with the leadership of the DDA, has strategically reinvested the 1 Mill tax on the property owners within their District to drive awareness for the area and encourage residents to shop locally, said Joan Goodrich, Economic Development Director, City of Delray Beach.
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About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority
The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to enhance and stimulate balanced economic growth through position marketing activities that engage Downtown Businesses, residents and visitors, while creating a clean, safe, physical and experiential place to live, work and invest. For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.