Nevada retail growth sluggish in March

Wednesday, May 24, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Taxable sales, one indicator of the Nevada economy, turned sluggish in March, producing the smallest percentage gain in 21 months.

The state Taxation Department reported Tuesday that sales reached $2.6 billion, up 2.5 percent compared to the same month of 1999. The 2.5 percent is the lowest since 1.9 percent in May 1998.

And sales in Clark County inched up only 2.2 percent, its smallest gain since December 1997, which posted a .9 percent increase.

"This was due to the building slowdown in Clark County," says David Pursell, director of the department, in explaining the drop. Car sales and restaurant and bar business continued strong, he said. "But we're finally caught up with the big resort construction."

The department reported car sales statewide rose 9.6 percent in March compared to the same month of a year ago and eating and drinking places were up 8.4 percent statewide. The bars and restaurant business coincided with action at the gambling casinos that earlier reported an 11.9 percent increase in March.

General merchandise stores reported taxable sales up 12 percent and apparel and accessory stores rose 5.4 percent statewide.

Clark County merchants chalked up $1.9 billion in taxable sales. Auto dealers posted a 10.3 percent gain; bars and restaurants were up 8.8 percent; general merchandise stores recorded an 11.7 percent increase and business in apparel stores rose 5.2 percent.

But home furnishings in Clark County were off by 6.7 percent; general contracting fell by 38.7 percent and special trade construction was down by 8.5 percent.