Lethbridge, AB…Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) led an updated research study to identify how
non-Lethbridge residents engage in commercial activity in the city and to better understand local retail trends
influencing shopper behaviour.
“The retail sector has been under pressure in the aftermath of the pandemic with additional strain created by
inflation and higher interest rates. The looming threat of a trade war and tariffs prompted us to dig deeper into
the current retail landscape and provide meaningful information that could help retailers fine tune their
business,” notes Trevor Lewington, CEO, Economic Development Lethbridge
Key findings from the report include:
- Total annual expenditures from households within the Lethbridge Trade Area are approximately $3.8
billion - About $1.6 billion is generated from individuals that live outside of the City of Lethbridge boundary.
- An estimated 20,700 people from the region commute into the City of Lethbridge for work each day
- 22% of visits to retail locations in the city originate from outside the City of Lethbridge
- Visitors to Lethbridge’s retail corridors predominantly prefer visiting during midday from 12 noon to
3:00 pm - Visitors from the trade area tend to live in households maintained by younger people (under 35)
- Visitors from outside the City of Lethbridge are more likely to have children than shoppers from within
the city - Residents from outside the city primarily prefer big-box stores for their shopping needs
- Shoppers in the trade area tend to shop in person more frequently when compared to the average
Albertan but visit e-commerce websites to check promotions and features before purchasing
“The report contains some great insights that our retail members in the downtown will benefit from and I
encourage any business owner in the retail sector in Lethbridge to explore how they can leverage the identified
shopping trends to improve their marketing strategy” recommends Sheri Kain, Board Chair, Downtown
Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded here.
EDL and the Downtown BRZ will be hosting an information session to review the findings in the report and
answer questions from business owners on Monday, April 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Southern Alberta
Ethnic Association, 421 6th Ave, S.
Details and registration can be found here.
For more information, contact:
Mark Neskar
Director, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Lethbridge
403-393-6376
mark@chooselethbridge.ca
