Clark County taxable sales see small boost in November

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 | 9:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY – The sale of cars and clothing boomed in Clark County in November as the Christmas shopping season got under way.

The state Tax Department reported today that taxable sales in Clark County reached $2.2 billion during the month, a 0.9 percent gain from a year earlier.

Sales of cars and auto parts jumped 26.4 percent when compared to a year ago and the apparel business saw a 10.9 percent increase.

The department said taxable sales, one indicator of the economy, rose statewide to $3 billion, up 2.7 percent. Fifteen of the state's 17 counties recorded an increase.

After three months of a decline, sales of building materials in Clark County inched up 2.7 percent. General merchandise business rose for the seventh straight month to post a 3 percent gain.

The bar and restaurant business in Southern Nevada rose 0.9 percent, the seventh consecutive month of an increase. Furniture sales increased 2.1 percent compared to November 2009.

The department said collections from sales and use taxes increased by 4 percent to $244.6 million during the month. For the five months of this fiscal year, collections are up 0.41 percent, or $1.3 million, above the forecast of the state's Economic Forum.

Taxes collected from liquor statewide rose 12.7 percent during the month, but cigarette sales were off by 0.5 percent. The tourism room tax rose 5 percent compared to a year ago.

Taxable sales in Washoe County increased by 2.5 percent, and they were up by 13.6 percent in Carson City.