Retail Trade Area/Sales History Pettis County’s retail trade area and labor market include portions of eight counties surrounding Pettis County. The area encompasses an approximate 50-mile radius from Sedalia.   Total population for the nine counties is 234,360*. Pettis County is the second largest of the nine counties, with a population of 39,403*. *Source:  2000 Census Pettis County Retail Trade Analysis Key Findings After adjusting for inflation, Pettis County’s retail sales increased from $306 million in 1990 to $415 million in 1998, an increase of over 35 percent. This is compared to a growth of 22.4 percent in retail sales for the state over the same time period. Sedalia accounts for most of the retail sales in Pettis County, 89 percent in 1990 and 78 percent in 1998. Pettis County has the highest retail sales in the region during 1990 through 1998, indicating that Pettis County is a trade center for the region. Per capita retail sales in Pettis County lagged slightly behind the state from 1990 through 1996. From 1996 through 1998 per capita retail sales in Pettis County have exceeded the state. Pettis County also surpasses all surrounding counties in per capita retail sales. In 1998, per capita retail sales in Pettis County were over $11,000. The retail sector in Pettis County is an “export sector,” drawing consumers from outside its borders. The pull factor measures the portion of customers drawn from outside the local boundary. Pettis County’s overall pull factor increased from 1.1 in 1990 to 1.2 in 1998. Potential sales measure the sales levels achieved if 100 percent of the local market were achieved. Actual sales exceeded potential sales in Pettis County by over $70 million in 1998, another indication of Pettis County’s position as a retail trade center. Analysis of sales by retail trade category show that Pettis County has higher levels of retail sales in almost all of the categories: building materials and garden supplies, food stores, automotive dealers, furniture stores, eating and drinking places, drug stores, hotels and motels, auto repair services, and miscellaneous retail stores. Lafayette County exceeds Pettis County in retail sales in the remaining retail categories: general merchandise stores, gas service stations, and apparel and accessory stores. The retail categories in Pettis County with pull factors of less than one and high growth rates show promise for expansion. These categories are general merchandise stores and furniture stores.