We have more people on the Coast, and more income. I don't think we are as poor as we used to be. When you look at the jobless rate, it is the lowest it has been in the history of Mississippi. We have more jobs, more people and better income. Parker said he's seen a trend towards more families coming into the store, primarily looking for power boat supplies and toys that accompany them like waterskis, tubes, and knee boards.
Clothing is also popular.
Boating is apparently popular not only on the Coast, but statewide. Currently there are about 268,902 boats licensed in Mississippi, which represents about one boat for every ten residents in the state. Non-traditional boats like jet skis are very popular, but sales of new jet skis have declined since a peak in 1995. There are a lot of good used watercraft out there. Consequently new sales are not as high.