Booming LV economy propels retail sales up 12.7 percent

CARSON CITY -- Nevada merchants enjoyed a strong holiday shopping season, posting $2.6 billion in sales or a 9.1 percent gain over December 1997.

"We're almost pushing double digits and the economy is chugging along," said David Pursell, director of the state Department of Taxation, which released the December taxable sales figures Tuesday.

Car sales jumped 22.5 percent and the bar and restaurant business rose 15.8 percent to lead the list of industries.

The 9.1 percent is the highest percentage gain since December 1996 and continues an upward trend after a sluggish first part of 1998.

The Economic Forum, which predicts state revenues upon which the budgets are based, had forecast a 6.9 percent increase in sales tax revenue this fiscal year. So far it's 8.5 percent. If it continues, this will allow extra money for the Legislature to spend in May.

The department said taxable sales in Clark County rose by 12.7 percent to $1.8 billion, its biggest percentage increase since December 1996. Merchants in Washoe County reported $464.5 million in sales in December, up 5.3 percent; Carson City registered $71.1 million in taxable sales, a 10.6 percent increase; Douglas County rose 5.9 percent to $38.6 million but Elko County reported a drop of 12.3 percent to $67.8 million.

So far this fiscal year, taxable sales are up 10.6 percent in Clark County; 5.8 percent in Washoe; 5.4 percent in Douglas; 8.3 percent in Carson City and down 7.1 percent in Elko County.

Pursell said taxable sales rose by 11.6 percent statewide in apparel and accessory stores during the Christmas and Hanukkah shopping season; miscellaneous retail stores were up 8.3 percent; general merchandise businesses recorded a 6.6 percent gain and wholesale trade registered a 7.5 percent increase.

The breakdown in Clark County showed car sales jumped by 28 percent; bars and restaurants were up 18.7 percent; apparel and accessory stores rose 13.5 percent; general merchandise sales increased by 9.2 percent; home furniture business rose 8.4 percent; building materials were up 6.2 percent and wholesale trade of durable goods posted a 17.8 percent gain in sales.

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