Analyzing Conway’s Spring Retail Shift
As we move into the spring of 2026, Conway’s economic landscape continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and steady growth. Our latest “By the Numbers” review reveals a community that is not only expanding but also evolving in its consumer habits.
Key Indicators at a Glance:
Robust Sales Growth: Total sales in Conway reached $359.53 million year-to-date through February, marking a solid 5.23% increase over the same period in 2025. This outpaces the broader Faulkner County growth of 5.49%, signaling that Conway remains the primary engine for regional commerce.
Strong Labor Market: Our local workforce remains a point of pride. With a non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of just 3.7%, Conway continues to outperform both the state of Arkansas (4.2%) and the national average (4.1%).
Sector Shifts: While we see consistent gains in total use tax (up 2.29%) and hotel sales (up 4.90%), we are closely monitoring a transition in hospitality; restaurant sales have seen a pull-back of 11.7% year-over-year. This suggests a shift in discretionary spending that local businesses should watch closely as the season progresses.
Real Estate Cooling: Following broader market trends, single-family home permits are down significantly compared to the 2025 surge. This indicates a stabilizing period for new construction as the market absorbs previous inventory.
Looking Ahead
The fundamentals of the Conway economy remain strong. With high employment and rising total sales, the “Pulse of Conway” is steady. As we look toward the second quarter, our focus will remain on supporting the small businesses and homeowners who drive this unique momentum.
-Patrick Lewis, Community Bank President at Arvest Bank
Labor Force, December 2025
| U.S. | 171,495,000 |
| Arkansas | 1,444,246 |
| Faulkner County | 67,628* |
| Conway | 37,860* |
Unemployment Rate, December 2025
| U.S. | 4.4% |
| Arkansas | 4.2% |
| Faulkner County | 3.7%* |
| Conway | 3.7%* |
Total Sales in Conway, February 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $359.53 million (+5.23%) |
| 2025 | $341.61 million |
Total Sales in Faulkner County, February 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $463.75 million (+5.49%) |
| 2025 | $439.61 million |
Total Use in Conway, February 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $67.59 million (+2.29%) |
| 2025 | $66.08 million |
Total Use in Faulkner County, February 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $109.62 million (+4.25%) |
| 2025 | $105.15 million |
Restaurant Sales in Conway, January 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $23.47 million (-11.70%) |
| 2025 | $26.58 million |
Hotel Receipts in Conway, January 2026 (YTD)
| 2026 | $1.74 million (+4.90%) |
| 2025 | $1.66 million |
Economy at a Glance Presenting Sponsor:
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