Taxable retail sales in Kitsap County topped $1 billion for the first time in the third quarter of 2015.
The $1.01 billion in sales reported from July through September marked a 9 percent increase from the same period of 2014, according to the Department of Revenue.
Retail trade sales were also up about 9 percent in the third quarter, with $524 million reported. Retail trade sales are sales made by dealerships, stores, online sellers and other traditional retailers.
These were some third quarter highlights:
- Sales by new and used auto dealerships were up 19 percent
- Sales of building materials were up 8.6 percent
- Sales by general merchandise stores were up 6 percent
- Construction was up 9.25 percent
- Wholesale trade was up 11.4 percent
- Information was up 10.5 percent
- Accommodations and food services up 8.9 percent
Kitsap’s growth in retail trade sales set the pace for Puget Sound counties in the third quarter:
The jump in third quarter retail sales came on the heels of an 11 percent increase in second quarter sales. We should see sales figures from the fourth quarter of 2015 a few months from now.
