Clark County merchants were slightly better off than their statewide counterparts in last year’s third quarter, although contractors and manufacturers continued to suffer, according to a state report this week.
Store-only retail sales in Clark County fell 5.8 percent to $471 million in the three months ending in September, compared to the same period in 2008. By contrast, statewide store-only retail sales dropped 6.1 percent to $11.6 billion, reported the Washington Department of Revenue.
“We’ve all lived with this recession for a while and although consumers are cutting back, those that are capable are starting to go back to shopping,” said Pam Lindloff, an associate vice president and retail expert with NAI Norris Beggs & Simpson in Vancouver.
Department stores and general merchandise stores such as Walmart and Fred Meyer saw taxable, store-only sales improve by about $700,000 in the quarter.