By Nevada News Bureau Staff: Nevada’s taxable sales rose 3.8 percent in December 2011 over December 2010, a modest rise that was outpaced in Clark County which saw a 9.5 percent gain in the important indicator of consumer health.
A major decline in taxable sales in Elko County in December was largely responsible for the overall smaller statewide increase.
Statewide taxable sales totaled $4.2 billion in December, with the biggest increases coming in bars and restaurants, up 8.8 percent; clothing and accessory stores, up 12.9 percent; motor vehicle dealers, up 15.3 percent; and merchant wholesalers-durable goods, up 14.2 percent.
The December numbers follow a November taxable sales report that showed a 9.6 percent gain.
Clark County reported taxable sales of just under $3 billion, up from $2.7 billion in December, 2010. Washoe County also had strong results, up 6.1 percent in December 2011 over December 2010.
The overall taxable sales numbers would have been higher except for a big decline in taxable sales in Elko County. Elko taxable sales were down by more than 50 percent in December to $142.5 million compared to $295.6 million in December 2010.
If Elko County taxable sales had remained flat in December 2011 over December 2010, statewide taxable sales would have been up over 7 percent.
There was no immediate explanation for the big drop in taxable sales in Elko County.
