Nevada sales growth slows statewide

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 | 11:40 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's general economy leveled off in October as merchants looked for a healthy holiday shopping season.

The state Taxation Department reported Tuesday taxable sales reached $2.5 billion, up 3.8 percent over October 1999. "Nothing stands out," said Department Director David Pursell. "I don't view it as a downturn. It looks like a leveling off."

The 3.8 percent gain in sales is the smallest percentage increase since June that rose only 3.7 percent.

Merchants in Clark County rang up $1.8 billion in taxable sales, up 4.7 percent from a year ago. But this is the smallest increase in Southern Nevada since the 2.2 percent rise posted in March of this year.

Two bright spots statewide, Pursell said were in general merchandise stores, which posted a 7 percent gain in sales, and apparel stores, which were up 8.4 percent.

He said miscellaneous retail sales rose 9.3 percent; eating and drinking places were up 4.3 percent; car sales increased 4.2 percent and food stores jumped 11.2 percent. He said he had no explanation for the big increase in the supermarket sales.

In Clark County, sales of building materials increased 4.4 percent; general merchandise stores were up 8.9 percent; food stores, up 7.1 percent; car sales inched up 3.2 percent and apparel stores rose 9.3 percent. The restaurant and bar business in Southern Nevada increased by 5.5 percent and home furniture business increased by 7.2 percent.

Taxable sales in Washoe County increased 4.2 percent to $411.6 million; Douglas County merchants reported $45 million, up 9.9 percent and Carson City business grew 11.7 percent to $64.3 million. Taxable sales dropped in Elko County by 1.4 percent to $65.2 million. There were also decreases in eight other rural counties.

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