Retail sales are an important indicator of a region's economic health because of their ability to generate tax revenue. Retail sales are counted on an establishment basis and are classified by principal line of commodity sold (e.g., groceries or hardware) or store designation (e.g., drug store or cigar store). Mail-order sales are counted at the point of shipment instead of point of receipt.

Retail sales in the county have increased for all store groups except Apparel and Accessories. Total retail sales are expected to continue increasing, with a projected 5 year growth rate of 15.3%. For the 2004 to 2009 time period, Dearborn County's projected growth in retail sales exceeds that of the Cincinnati MSA, Indiana, and the United States.

Dearborn County, IN Retail Sales
Thousands of 1996 Dollars	1995	2004	1995-2004 % Change
Total Retail Sales	324,857	462,770	42.5%
Building Materials, Hardware	20,605	31,391	52.3%
General Merchandise	38,142	45,281	18.7%
Food Stores	52,270	56,761	8.6%
Automobile Dealers	98,770	140,064	41.8%
Gasoline Service Stations	27,059	35,576	31.5%
Apparel and Accessories	2,066	2,062	-0.2%
Furniture, Home Furnishings	8,442	10,289	21.9%
Eating and Drinking Places	27,162	43,800	61.3%
Drug Stores	5,560	9,835	76.9%
Miscellaneous Retail Stores	44,781	87,711	95.9%

Data Source: Woods and Poole, 2004

Projected Retail Sales Growth in Dearborn County and Select Areas (2004-2009)

Data Source: Woods and Poole, 2004

Retail Sales per Household Growth (1995-2004)
	1995	2004	1995-2004 % Growth
Dearborn County	$21,050	$25,354	20.4%
Cincinnati MSA	$23,647	$29,115	23.5%
Indiana	$24,276	$29,970	23.1%

Data Source: Woods and Poole, 2004

Dearborn County enjoys a competitive advantage in total retail sales. Four store groups in particular contribute to this competitive advantage: Miscellaneous Retail Stores; Automobile Dealers; Building Materials, Hardware; and Gasoline Service Stations.

Dearborn County Retail Sales by Store Group (2004)

Data Source: Woods and Poole, 2004

Automobile Dealers
The presence of two major car dealerships, Ande Chevrolet and Haag Ford, as well as numerous boat dealerships, contribute to the competitive advantage of this store group.

Building Materials, Hardware
Hardware stores in the county, such as Lowe's, Jackson's Hardware, and Aurora Do It Best Lumber, provide the area with a competitive advantage in this retail group.

Miscellaneous Retail Stores
Gardens Alive!, located in the city of Greendale, is one of the largest national mail order garden supply catalog companies.

Gasoline Service Stations
Dearborn County's proximity to two major interstates and numerous state routes make it a convenient refueling place.