State’s taxable sales rise in July

Spending in Nevada continued on its road to recovery in July.

Taxable sales across Nevada increased 4.7 percent year over year in July, to $3.55 billion, the state Department of Taxation reported Thursday. Sales in Clark County jumped 5.4 percent, to $2.54 billion.

"I think we're pretty well down the road to recovery as far as consumer spending is concerned," said Steve Brown, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "Consumers are doing their share of the lifting in the economy."

Several major spending categories improved year to year in Clark County in July. Sales among dealers of cars and car parts jumped 16.3 percent, to $274.3 million. Clothing and accessories retailers saw sales increase 2.7 percent, to $263.2 million. General merchandise stores, including department stores, posted a sales gain of 2.1 percent, rising to $226 million. Sales among merchant wholesalers of durable goods such as office equipment and appliances rose 18.5 percent, to $142.2 million.

Even sales of building materials and garden equipment and supplies enjoyed a surge, rising 10.2 percent, to $87.6 million. That suggests homeowners spent more to spruce up their places, Brown said. Sales in construction classifications increased 6.34 percent, though building spending of $44.4 million was a small share of the county's sales.

Among big spending sectors, only bars and restaurants saw fewer sales, with a 0.9 percent falloff to $689.8 million.

Brian Gordon, a principal in local research firm Applied Analysis, said July 2011 had five full weekends, compared with four full weekends a year later. That could be behind the dip in dining out.

Still, overall numbers show steady progress, Gordon said.

"We're still working through the recovery process, and by no means are we beyond that. Conditions remain fragile," Gordon said. "But things are moving in a positive direction."

Gordon noted that overall sales in the 12 months before July were up 7.2 percent, for the largest 12-month trailing gain since before the recession.

"The further we move away from the floor, the more retailers can gain some confidence in the fact that they're seeing revenue levels gain some traction," Gordon said.

July's county-based sales came in 15 percent below the high for the month, which was $2.98 billion in 2006. July sales fell to $2.23 billion in 2009, and have crept up each year since. July's sales were about equal to the $2.5 billion in goods sold in Clark County in July 2004.

Gross revenue collections from sales and use taxes were $277.75 million, up 4.35 percent over July 2011.

Sales and use taxes help fund prisons, schools and social services.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512. Follow @J_Robison1 on Twitter.