Clark sales continue to rise

Friday, July 29, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- May was the 17th consecutive month in which Clark County merchants posted double-digit sales increases, registering a 14.1 percent jump over May 2004 when sales zoomed 14.2 percent.

The state Taxation Department reported Thursday that taxable sales statewide rose 13.2 percent to $3.7 billion with big increases in clothing stores, building materials and wholesale trade.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said he was encouraged by May's figures "because they indicate that Nevada's economy is not only healthy, but it is diversifying itself."

In the last 17 months statewide, taxable sales have recorded double-digit increases in 16 months and Guinn said the May report "once again demonstrates Nevada's consumer confidence and our economic stability."

The state's 2 percent share of the sales tax yielded $810.6 million as of May in the last fiscal year, a 15.3 percent gain. The fiscal year ends June 30.

Taxable sales in Clark County reached $2.8 billion, or 74.3 percent of the state's total.

Business in bars and restaurants in Clark County posted $567.9 million in sales, a 3.5 percent gain and the smallest percentage increase since a 2.8 percent gain in August. After three straight months of double digit-increases in car sales, auto dealers reported an 8.5 percent gain in May to $409.4 million.

The department said wholesale trade in durable goods in Clark County totaled $162.7 million, up 21.3 percent; building material sales registered a 13th straight month of double-digit increases, posting a 10.2 percent gain to $190.8 million and general merchandise stores posted $209 million, up 10.9 percent.

Clothing stores in Southern Nevada reported $153.9 million in sales, up 21.5 percent and the ninth straight month with a double-digit increase. Home furniture sales reached $151.7 million, an increase of 7.9 percent.

Statewide the department said auto sales rose 7.9 percent; wholesale trade in durable goods was up 18.4 percent; building materials jumped 13.9 percent; general merchandise stores increased 9.4 percent; clothing stores were up 20.3 percent; home furniture sales increased 8.1 percent and eating and drinking businesses posted a 2.7 percent gain.

The department said taxable sales in Washoe County rose 9.9 percent to $560.2 million; Douglas County reported a 10.3 percent gain to $68.5 million; Elko County jumped 13.7 percent to $72.5 million and Carson City inched up 1.8 percent to $80.7 million.

The state collected $106.6 million on its cigarette tax during the first 11 months of the fiscal year, a 10.5 percent gain. The tax on liquor produced $35.3 million, up 9 percent; the insurance premium tax produced $160.1 million, an increase of 12.7 percent and the live entertainment tax yielded $20.6 million through May of the last fiscal year.