State sees taxable retail sales increase 7.8 percent

Published 11:23 am Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The following is a release from the Washington State Department of Revenue:

The state’s taxable retail sales made in the third quarter of 2015 (July 1 – Sept. 30) reached $35.8 billion, a 7.8 percent increase over the same quarter in 2014. Figures for the retail trade industry, which is a subset of all taxable retail sales made in the state, show a 5.8 percent increase over the same time period last year. The retail trade comprised $15.4 billion of the state’s total taxable retail sales.

The data comes from reports released by the Washington State Department of Revenue (Revenue) each quarter. The reports compare the same quarter year-over-year to equalize any seasonal effects of consumer purchasing behavior.

Revenue categorizes the state’s taxable retail sales using the North American Industry Classification System, the same method federal statistical agencies use to classify businesses for the purpose of analyzing data related to the economy.

Third quarter 2015 snapshot

• Sales of vehicles and auto parts increased 10.1 percent to $3.98 billion

• Purchases in building materials and gardening stores rose 7.27 percent to $1.56 billion

• General merchandise stores reported $2.82 billion in taxable sales, up 2.49 percent

• Figures from accommodations, restaurants and bars statewide increased 8.02 percent to $4.4 billion