Taxable retail sales increase in 2015

OLYMPIA – Washington state revenue officials say taxable retail sales in 2015 topped $135 billion. That was an 8.4 percent increase over 2014.

The retail trade sector helped drive the increase. Those sales jumping 5.9 percent to nearly $60 billion. The construction sector also rose significantly in 2015, with $24.5 billion in taxable sales.

Sales of vehicles and parts hit $14.9 billion last year, which was a 10.7 percent increase. New building construction drove $13.8 billion of the overall $24.5 billion in taxable sales tallied by the construction sector. Accommodations and food services went up 9.1 percent to $15.7 billion.

Taxable retail sales figures are just one indicator of economic health in Washington state.