Meridian Consumer Trends

Meridian resident's high incomes establish the city as having the second highest collective buying power (consumer disposable income) in the Treasure Valley (See Local Buying Power Table), according to reliable data from Claritas, Inc. Despite having at least 20,000 fewer residents than Nampa , it actually exceeds the Canyon County city in this category by over $10 million. Buying power per household also is high, second only to Eagle (See Local Buying Power per Household Table). With a national buying power index (average) of 100, Meridian is actually rated at 111. Boise 's rating is less than 96. All of these features speak to the strength of Meridian 's families as strategic target markets.

Estimates of retail trade potential (i.e., capacity of retail segments to attract sales, measured in dollars) by Claritas, Inc., identify a number of strengths and weaknesses among Meridian retailers (See Retail Trade Potential as % of Sales Table). Figures show sales potential based on historic performance by each retail segment, rather than on civic boundaries. The most notable local variances from the Treasure Valley average are are:

Higher retail sales potential than Treasure Valley average:

Lower sales potential than Treasure Valley average:

These patterns bode well for attracting these local markets to Downtown social and specialty retail establishments.

It appears that Meridian has significant room for additional retail square footage. For example, Meridian has the second highest consumer buying power in the Valley but third highest retail trade potential (See Retail Trade Potential Table). Similarly, Meridian has 17% of Boise 's trade potential but 21% of its population. Given that Meridian consumers have substantially higher incomes and greater buying power per household, this translates to retail leakage – local spending capacity going to Boise merchants. A revitalized Downtown Meridian would have ample retail spending to target for future growth and development.

Claritas figures (See Retail Trade Potential by Segment Table) indicate that currently Meridian 's greatest retail strengths are (in order):

• Automotive
• General Merchandise (Department Store-type Merchandise)
• Food/Groceries
• Eating and Drinking Places