Nevada sales up 6.1 percent

Friday, July 20, 2001 | 11:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Spurred by strong car sales, general business in Nevada posted a 6.1 percent gain in May, the highest percentage increase since August of last year.

The state Department of Taxation reported Wednesday taxable sales reached $2.689 billion compared to $2.533 billion of May last year.

The 6.1 percent increase was the biggest since the 6.4 percent posted in August 2000. Sales in Clark County in May jumped 6.8 percent, also the best showing since the 7.9 percent increase posted in August.

"It seems the economy in Nevada is in fairly good shape," says Department Director Dave Pursell. "It's not declining like some other places."

Collection of the state's share of the sales tax for the first 11 months of the year reached $576.4 million, up 5.3 percent over the same period of the prior fiscal year. Pursell said that was "right on line" with the tax revenue estimates of the Economic Forum.

He said things look good in Northern Nevada with the air races, the balloon races and Hot August Nights coming up in the Reno area.

Car sales in May jumped 10.4 percent. Pursell said the eating and drinking businesses were "holding their own" at a 4 percent increase.

Sales in general merchandise stores rose 7.8 percent; building materials and hardware were up 5.7 percent and food stores posted a 7.6 percent gain. Home furniture business inched up 3.8 percent and clothing stores rose 5.1 percent.

Merchants in Clark County rang up $1.945 billion in taxable sales, or 72 percent of the state's total.

Car sales in Southern Nevada jumped 13.1 percent to $281.1 million; restaurant and bar business rose 4.7 percent to $412.1 million; general merchandise stores registered a 6.7 percent gain to $151.6 million; activity in building materials and hardware increased 6.1 percent to $128.7 million and grocery stores recorded $68.3 million in sales, down 2 percent.

The department reported taxable sales in Washoe County rose 4.5 percent in May to $428.8 million; Carson City businesses reported $71.1 million in taxable sales, up 9.9 percent; Douglas County rose 19.8 percent to $49.9 million but Elko County registered a 10.8 percent drop $60.7 million.