A number of positive changes have been sweeping across the greater Houston area. First off, according to new research from Pitney Bowes Business Insight, Houston is one of the top metropolitan areas expected to see quarterly retail sales growth from now and into 2010.
The top contenders are all Texas cities, with the exception of Seattle. Houston ranks fifth on the list for notable scores of strong comparative sales growth, specifically in the drug store and high-end retail. The city was able to earn this rank due to its sales history and ability to remain stable for the past six quarters, despite rough economic conditions elsewhere.
Houston’s strength in the retail sector can be seen to continue as the unemployment rate for the city falls. New figures from the Texas Workforce Commission state that joblessness decreased from 6.6% in March to 6.3% in April, the first major decrease in more than six months. The rate is expected to continue to decline for May, as sales growth comparatively increases. For Texas as a whole, the unemployment rate has held steady at 6.7%, well below the national average of 8.9%.
For the final touch, Houston has recently been ranked within the top 50 of the fittest metropolitan areas. The city’s official ranking is #41 based on strengths that include a lower percentage of people with disability, a lower percentage of people who smoke, a higher percent of city land area as parkland and a higher level of state requirements for physical education classes.
As the fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston may find itself leading the way for a step closer to ideal city living.
Source:Houston Business Journal