Bringing People Together
There’s nothing quite like a day spent eating, drinking, and shopping your way through town. Now, more than ever, retail shops and restaurants are the lifeblood of a community, giving residents and visitors a place to connect, unwind, and sample local goods. It’s all about bringing people together.
The Industry is an Easy Sell
The COVID-19 pandemic may have challenged this togetherness, but since the easing of restrictions, the future’s looking bright.
Despite setbacks, food and retail remains one of the largest sectors in the country. In March 2023 alone, restaurants and retailers did $686.1 billion in sales.[1] This enormous figure is driven by preference: 84% of consumers would rather spend their downtime eating out with friends than cooking at home,[2] and 80.9% of retail sales are still in person out of convenience.[3]
These trends, in turn, are driving employment. Across the country, restaurant jobs have exceeded pre-pandemic numbers,[4] while retail jobs aren’t far behind.[5] In our neck of the woods, recovery and growth have been even stronger, with Leisure and Hospitality employment up roughly 5% year-over-year in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura region.[6]
Capture the Market in Camarillo
Camarillo, the jewel of the region, is the perfect place to set up shop. With pleasant weather year-round, a sizable tourism industry, and a median household income of over $100,000, there’s no shortage of patrons at Camarillo’s stores and restaurants.
There’s no shortage of opportunities, either. From the Camarillo Premium Outlet Mall to the bustling downtown district full of boutique shops and cafés, high-traffic commercial real estate options are plentiful. Here, restaurateurs and retailers can make use of the area’s abundant fresh produce, sell all kinds of goods, and pair dishes with wines from local vineyards like Cantara Cellars—the sky’s the limit.
No matter what kind of cuisine or concept you have planned, Camarillo welcomes you with open arms (and mouths). We can help you take advantage of the City of Camarillo Business Loan Fund so that you can find out firsthand what Camarillo has to offer.
[1] United States Census Bureau. ADVANCE MONTHLY SALES FOR RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICES, APRIL 2023. https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf
[2] National Restaurant Association. 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry. https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/research-reports/state-of-the-industry/
[3] Zippia. 20+ FASCINATING ONLINE SHOPPING STATISTICS [2023]: ONLINE SHOPPING VS. IN-STORE SHOPPING. https://www.zippia.com/advice/online-shopping-statistics/
[4] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industries at a Glance: Food Services and Drinking Places: NAICS 722. https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag722.htm
[5] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industries at a Glance: Retail Trade: NAICS 44-45. https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag44-45.htm
[6] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economy at a Glance: Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA. https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca_oxnard_msa.htm
Sign Up for eNews
Stay up to date on the business scene in Camarillo by signing up for our e-newsletter.
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.