The surprising advantages of Covington stand out in the area of retail development. Existing stores range from small, family owned businesses to multi-national chain stores. Every retail category is represented from motor vehicles to electronics, from food and beverages to sporting goods.

A 2003 study by the University of Memphis regarding retail business in Covington summarizes the state of the retail sector well. The study compared the total household retail spending in Covington with the sales of retail establishments located within the city.

"Retail sales of $241 million clearly exceed the established spending of $63 million, indicating that Covington's retail sector serves a much larger region. The overall retail capture rate of 379% suggests that Covington businesses attract customers from an area almost four times the population of Covington (approximately 12,000 households). Similar results are found in the Food service industry. Covington restaurants capture sales equivalent to almost twice the amount expected from local residents."

From "Retail Trade Analysis" of the Team Covington report
by the University of Memphis, June 2003

That same report indicated that if Covington can establish the retail businesses, an estimated $215 million in additional sales (the "retail gap" between what households are spending and total retail sales in a realistic market area) is available.

Sample retailers by category: