Nevada’s November retail sales increased a meager 3.3 percent

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001 | 11:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada merchants report that taxable sales rose 3.3 percent to $2.4 billion last November as the holiday shopping season started.

It was the second lowest percentage gain of the year and a signal the Nevada economy may be cooling. Taxable sales in March rose only 2.5 percent for the smallest percentage increase.

The state Taxation Department reported Wednesday taxable sales increased 4.1 percent in Clark County to $1.7 billion. It also was the smallest percentage gain since March, when sales increased 2.2 percent.

While the growth was modest, it was the 33rd consecutive month of higher sales. And it was in contrast to the winnings in the gambling casinos, which have reported declines in two of the last three months.

Sales tax receipts to the state for the first five months of this fiscal year totaled $253.9 million, up 4.8 percent. But that's below the 5.9 percent predicted by the Economic Forum for this fiscal year.

Statewide, the department said business in general merchandise stores increased by 8.2 percent; auto sales grew 5.3 percent compared to November 1999 and taxable sales from restaurants and bars rose by 4.6 percent.

The volume of business in apparel and accessory stores jumped 6.9 percent; sale of home furniture were up 3.3 percent but taxable sales in food stores fell by 6.1 percent.

Clark County auto dealers produced $210.3 million in sales, up 4.1 percent; business in restaurants and bars grew by 4.2 percent to $363.9 million; general merchandise stores reported $177 million, up 9 percent; home furniture sales rose 5.4 percent to $104.1 million but food store business fell by 5.3 percent to $63.6 million.

The department said taxable sales rose by 3 percent in Washoe County to $395.3 million; grew by 6.6 percent in Douglas County to $37.5 million and jumped 7.8 percent in Carson City to $62.5 million.