Taxable sales rise 9.1 percent across Nevada

Consumers continued to boost their spending across Nevada in February.

Taxable sales jumped statewide to $3.83 billion in the month, up 9.1 percent compared with $3.51 billion in February 2014, the state Department of Taxation said Tuesday.

Businesses in Clark County sold $2.89 billion in tangible goods, an 8.7 percent increase over $2.66 billion a year earlier.

Sectors ranging from cars to construction experienced local spending increases.

Dealers of cars and car parts saw February sales of $344 million, up 12.3 percent from $306.4 million a year ago. Sales among retailers of electronics and appliances spiked to $92.6 million, up 31.3 percent from $70.5 million. General merchandise stores, including department stores, posted $261.3 million in sales, a 7.8 percent increase compared with $242.3 million in February 2014.

The biggest spending category, bars and restaurants, improved sales to $735.8 million, up 3.6 percent over $710.6 million.

Local construction spending grew to $50.5 million, up 17.5 percent from $42.9 million a year earlier.

Gross revenue collections from sales and use taxes, which help fund prisons and schools, were $302.6 million, a 7.9 percent gain year over year.

The General Fund portion of the sales and use tax was $76.3 million, up 7.4 percent over year-ago levels. But that share was 0.74 percent, or $4.8 million, below expectations of the Economic Forum, a nonpartisan group that forecasts revenue for state budgets.

Contact Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com. Find @J_Robison1 on Twitter.