Local retail sales lag state totals

Retail sales in Spokane County took a dip in the second quarter, while sales fared better in Western Washington metro areas, the Washington State Department of Revenue said Thursday.

• $1.7 billion – Taxable retail sales in the county for April through June, down 2.7 percent from the second quarter of 2009. By comparison, sales were down 1.8 percent in King County and up slightly in Pierce, Snohomish and Clark counties, the agency said.

• Mall and main street – Just looking at retail stores, taxable sales for the quarter were $841 million in Spokane County. That was unchanged from the same quarter last year.

• $918 million – Taxable sales in the city of Spokane, down 3.5 percent. Store sales were down 0.3 percent, to $448 million, the revenue department reported.

• Local trends – New and used car sales in the second quarter were weaker in Spokane than statewide, although RV, motorcycle and boat sales were much stronger. General merchandise stores were weaker locally than statewide, while building materials and garden supplies, and hotel and restaurant/bar sales were a bit stronger.