News Summary
Shreveport, Louisiana is undergoing significant changes in its retail market, highlighted by the sale of the Bert Kouns Retail Plaza and various store closures. STRIVE brokerage completed the sale of the 14,000 square-foot property amid rising sales tax revenues in the city, which grew by 5.5% year-over-year. Nevertheless, significant store closures such as JOANN Fabric and Crafts and Big Lots, both linked to bankruptcy filings, underscore ongoing challenges in the retail sector. The city’s economy shows resilience in specific sectors, but growth remains uneven.
Shreveport, Louisiana is experiencing a notable shift in its retail landscape, with closures and sales ongoing amid changing economic conditions. The recent sale of the Bert Kouns Retail Plaza, a 14,000 square-foot retail property, highlights both the resilience and challenges facing local businesses.
STRIVE, a brokerage firm, has finalized the sale of the Bert Kouns Retail Plaza, which is situated approximately 17 miles east of the Texas border. The property was fully leased at the time of sale, housing various tenants, including a nail salon, Johnny’s Catfish, Unique LaChique’s Event Center, Tower Loan, Jackie’s Outlet, and M&M Builders. Andrew Williams and Will Schubert from STRIVE represented both the seller and the buyer, with both parties based in Louisiana. Specific financial terms of the sale remain undisclosed.
As retail establishments navigate these changes, the recent sales tax data presents an encouraging picture for Shreveport’s economy. In April, sales tax revenues rose by 5.5% compared to the previous year, with total revenues amounting to approximately $55.1 million year-to-date, marking a 1.6% increase. The city observed considerable growth in sectors such as wholesale machinery equipment and supplies, personal services, and restaurants and bars, with increases of 52%, 32%, and 19% respectively.
However, not all sectors shared in this upward trend. The construction sector experienced a sharp decline of -58%, while wholesale non-durable goods saw a decrease of -18%. In a related trend, neighboring Bossier City also reported a 1% increase in sales tax for April, contributing to a 2.58% year-to-date increase, totaling $22.4 million from December 2024 to March 2025. Growth in Bossier was mainly driven by increases in real estate, amusements, and hotel stays, though construction, manufacturing, and retail experienced drops.
Amid these fluctuations in the retail market, significant store closures are also unfolding in Shreveport. JOANN Fabric and Crafts has announced the impending closure of its Shreveport location, currently holding an inventory sale. Specific closure dates have not been confirmed, but the company is set to shut down approximately 500 out of 850 locations nationwide, following a second filing for bankruptcy.
Additionally, Big Lots will cease operations in Shreveport by December 8. This closure is part of a broader strategy impacting over 340 stores across the country, also linked to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The store is offering discounts of 70%-90%, but remaining inventory is limited and primarily consists of smaller items such as plastic planters, a few toys, and limited pet supplies. Notably, food and hygiene products have mostly sold out.
As Shreveport navigates these changes in the retail sector, the region will also be hosting the InterFace Active Adult conference on May 7th in Dallas. This event will focus on the growing 55+ housing niche, alongside other conferences addressing trends in affordable housing, multifamily properties, and industrial markets. The outcomes of these discussions may prove crucial as the city seeks to adapt to the evolving economic landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Shopping Center Business
- Wikipedia: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate
- Google Search: Shreveport Louisiana retail market news
- Shreveport Times
- Google Scholar: Shreveport retail closures
- 710 KEEL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shreveport Louisiana
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
