Millar: Mexican shoppers spend almost $1 billion a year in McAllen alone
McALLEN, RGV – Mexican shoppers contribute almost $1 billion to the McAllen economy through purchases at local stores, says Nancy Millar, vice president of the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.
That contribution does not include the money they spend in hotels, etc. If that figure sounds impressive, Millar says it used to be even greater. She said a combination of recent factors has led to a decline in the percentage of retail sales attributable to Mexican shoppers. She said it has dropped from 37 percent to 30 percent.
“It is such an important part of what we do. Birding is great. It brings in $463 million into the Valley every year. Winter Texans are great. They bring in about $750 million into the Valley every year. But the Mexican nationals, that is where we really shine,” Millar said.
“Right now, Mexico, just into McAllen, not the whole Valley, is bringing in almost a billion dollars a year in retail sales. That is without counting the hotel occupancy, the food they eat, a lot of other ancillary costs. That is really our No. 1 area.”
Read more: http://riograndeguardian.com/millar-mexican-shoppers-spend-almost-1-billion-a-year-in-mcallen-alone/
