Washington retail sales up 10 percent this year; Spokane Valley ranks second in sales growth

A bump in construction, as well as sales of equipment, lawn and garden supplies boosted Washington’s retail sales to more than $37 billion this year – a 10 percent increase over 2017, according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Out of the 10 most populous cities in Washington, Spokane Valley ranked second in the state for the largest jump of taxable retail sales. With $567 million in reported sales, the city experienced a more-than 11 percent increase, trailing just behind Vancouver.

Retail sales growth in Spokane Valley during the first quarter of 2018 was spurred by auto sales totaling more than $94 million, followed by more than $68 million in general merchandise store sales, according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Spokane Valley earlier this year contracted with Alabama-based consulting firm Retail Strategies to assist with increasing the city’s retail footprint by studying its commercial landscape and marketing the area to brokers, developers and retailers across the nation.

Spokane Valley also updated its comprehensive plan and development regulations to attract more retail businesses to the area.

The city of Spokane reported $1.4 billion in taxable retail sales during the first quarter of 2018, which is an 8 percent increase over sales last year. Spokane County reported $2.3 billion in sales, a 10 percent jump over 2017.