Spokane County retail sales up almost 7 percent in third quarter

Spokane County’s taxable retail sales were up 6.8 percent in the third quarter of 2016 from the same period in 2015, the Washington State Department of Revenue said Wednesday.

Sales totaled $2.4 billion in the county for the July-August period, versus $2.25 billion a year prior, the agency reported.

Statewide, taxable retail sales were up 7.4 percent in the third quarter, reaching $38.5 billion.

The city of Spokane had taxable sales of $1.25 billion, up 5.7 percent; the city of Spokane Valley had sales of $605 million, up 9.8 percent.

The retail trade sector helped drive the growth in retail sales. Retail trade in the quarter rose 5.8 percent statewide, 5.9 percent in Spokane County, 6.3 percent in Spokane and 4.8 percent in Spokane Valley, state figures showed.

Statewide taxable retail sales activity were led by these sectors:

• New and used autos: up 6.9 percent, reaching $3.36 billion.
• Lawn and garden supplies and equipment sales: up 17.3 percent to $176.9 million.
• Drug and health stores’ sales: up 19.6 percent, reaching $672 million.
• Taxable e-commerce and mail order sales: up 10.5 percent to $663 million.

Taxable retail sales figures are just one indicator of economic health. The Department of Revenue uses business tax return data to create the quarterly report.