Retail

Choose Hays for Its Advantages

The City of Hays draws retail shoppers from a considerable area, because of Hays’ location and variety of both national chain and local stores. Hays boasts the second-highest pull factor in the state of Kansas, making it an ideal location for retail businesses. Successful and diverse brands, such as Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, and Ashley’s Furniture have found success in the Hays market.

There is available space along the Vine St. corridor in the Centennial Plaza, Big Creek Crossing, and other prime retail locations; both existing buildings and greenfield sites.

The Downtown Historical District/Chestnut Street District provide a very unique shopping atmosphere in a boutique setting. A variety of spaces are available and additional buildings are being renovated. 

Explore our retail information, and then come see Hays for yourself.

Pull Factor

The pull factor is a calculation that identifies how much retail business is leaving your community in comparison to the population. A retail pull factor of 1 is neutral; there are as many people coming into the community to shop as are going elsewhere. A retail pull factor of less than 1 means there are more people leaving your community to shop than are coming in from the surrounding area. A retail pull factor greater than 1 means more people come to the community to shop than go elsewhere.

The City of Hays enjoys a 1.66 pull factor, one of the highest in the state. Our geographical location and access, coupled with national chain store locations and a unique downtown shopping experience, make Hays a retail destination for a large number of western Kansas shoppers.

The City of Hays has enjoyed significant growth in retail sales over the last few years. A combination of location and variety makes Hays a destination for many shoppers.

Retail Revenue

Retail Sales Revenue Amount
2018 $585,866,342
2017 $582,324,800
2016 $586,915,542
2015 $448,252,000
2014 $473,707,000
2013 $474,127,000

Retail Trade Areas

As the 1.66 retail pull factor suggests, the City of Hays draws retail shoppers from a considerable area, due to our location and variety of both national chain and local stores. The expanded shopping area is outlined in blue. This regional draw includes (2016 data):

  • Population: 75,036
  • Number of Households: 32,873
  • Median Household Income: $44,701
  • Total Retail Sales: over $1 billion

Trade area calculated by the use of Magnify software package and an application of Reilly’s Law.

Traffic Count

The City of Hays is situated on I-70, between Denver and Kansas City. Click here for the latest traffic counts for the City of Hays, provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Hays Traffic Count 2018

Hays Traffic Count 2018

2018 Hays Highway Traffic Count Explanation

2018 Hays Highway Traffic Count Explanation

2018 Hays Highway Traffic Count

2018 Hays Highway Traffic Count

Hays and the surrounding area supports a number
of successful national retail chains.

Tebo Village at Vine and 48th is now completed with sites available for leasing.

Hays also supports a number of local and regionally based retailers and restaurants. Visit the Downtown Hays Development Corporation website for more information on the retailers in downtown Hays.

Downtown Hays

Hello and welcome to Downtown Hays. Whether you are a first time visitor or an old friend, I hope you will enjoy seeing and learning more about what’s going on in Historic Downtown Hays.

The Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) is working continuously with the Executive Director, Executive’s Assistant, Fort Hays State University interns and dedicated working committees consisting of community volunteers and local businessmen and women. The effort has been, at times, tedious, but very exciting and rewarding. As you will see, the newly restored buildings and new and relocated businesses have been a welcome addition to the district and community.

The primary developer and property owner of Downtown Hays is the Liberty Group. The DHDC works with the primary developer and other property owners to continue to foster awareness and promote Downtown Hays as a vibrant center of commerce.

We remain true to our mission: The mission of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) is to foster awareness and promote Downtown Hays as a vibrant center of commerce, recreation, arts, government and history that serves the people of Hays, the surrounding region and visitors from around the world. The DHDC will work to prevent the deterioration and enhance the viability of the community’s cultural centers, historical landmarks and public infrastructure important to the community’s economic and cultural well-being.

We would like to thank the hundreds of contributors who have donated their time and resources to the Downtown Hays project. The revitalization of Historic Downtown Hays would not be possible without them.

A truly unique shopping experience, Downtown Hays offers a little bit of everything: maternity clothing and accessories, home decor, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture and much, much more. Follow the link for the DHDC website to learn more about what Downtown Hays has to offer: http://www.DowntownHays.com/

Retail Survey Results

Grow Hays conducted a 2015 Retail Survey. Per the 1,287 responses received, it was indicated that only 40% of shopping is done in Hays. The average overall shopping satisfaction, with 1 being negative and 5 being positive, was ranked at 2.5. Below are the results of the survey, with the response count in parenthesis.

Towns Shopped at Outside of Hays

  • Salina (949)
  • Wichita (628)
  • Kansas City (524)
  • Topeka (199)
  • Denver (165)
  • Online (73)
  • Manhattan (58)
  • Garden City (42)

Stores Shopped at Outside of Hays

  • Target (709)
  • Kohls (564)
  • Sam’s Club/Costco (363)
  • Old Navy (323)
  • Dillards (269)
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods (179)
  • Marshalls (140)
  • Victoria’s Secret (137)
  • TJ Maxx (123)
  • Gordmans (111)
  • Menards (92)
  • Cabela’s (76)
  • Bed, Bath, and Beyond (75)
  • Ross Dress for Less (68)
  • Macy’s (66)
  • American Eagle (62)
  • Justice (61)
  • Gap (52)
  • Children’s Place (50)
  • Whole Foods (49)

Items Purchased Outside of Hays

  • Clothing: All Types (1015)
  • Grocery/Food (256)
  • Housewares (175)
  • Shoes (183)
  • Bulk Items (86)
  • Sporting Goods (73)
  • Home Decor (72)
  • Electronics (53)

Top 15 Desired Restaurants for Hays

  • Olive Garden (572)
  • Red Lobster (288)
  • Buffalo Wild Wings (246)
  • Chili’s (176)
  • Panera Bread (128)
  • Logan’s/Texas Roadhouse (119)
  • Chick-fil-A (105)
  • Old Chicago (86)
  • Spangles (60)
  • Chipotle (59)
  • Outback Steakhouse (57)
  • Red Robin (57)
  • Longhorn Steakhouse (52)
  • Cracker Barrel (49)
  • Five Guys Burgers and Fries (48)

Top 15 Desired Retail Stores for Hays

  • Target (776)
  • Kohls (534)
  • Old Navy (314)
  • Dillards (149)
  • Sam’s Club (135)
  • Marshalls (105)
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods (104)
  • Victoria’s Secret (99)
  • Gordmans (95)
  • TJ Maxx (90)
  • Whole Foods (47)
  • Menards (45)
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond (44)
  • Ross Dress for Less (41)
  • Aldi (41)

Sector or Store Type Missing in Hays

  • Clothing: All types (666)
  • Healthy Foods/Organic/Wholesome (304)
  • Italian (203)
  • Steakhouse (144)
  • Seafood (141)
  • Ethnic (not Italian or Mexican) (68)
  • Sporting Goods (52)
  • Department Store (44)
  • Family Dining (44)
  • Fine Dining (39)
  • Bulk Items (39)