District residents currently spend more than $1 billion annually outside the District – an average of about $4,000 per household each year. This means that local businesses struggling to maintain a presence are not supported, retail employment opportunities in the District are limited, traffic congestion worsens, and retail tax dollars that would be spent on providing better services to all residents are instead lost to other jurisdictions.

Yet, there are clear signs of existing and potential retail market strength, such as neighborhoods located throughout the District with substantial spending power; vibrant and emerging retail districts; population and income growth; an expanded daytime population that includes workers and visitors; and new residential, office and entertainment/cultural development.

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