Weakness in big-ticket items drags down March taxable sales

Sharp declines in the sales of big-ticket items dragged down retail sales in northern Nevada during March.

The State Department of Taxation said the taxable sales in Washoe County declined by 27.4 percent from year-earlier figures.

Carson City's sales fell by nearly a quarter 24.5 percent and sales in Douglas County were down by 22 percent. Lyon County recorded nearly a 28 percent decline in sales from a year ago, and March sales in Churchill County were down 15 percent.

The biggest problem area was automobile sales, which account for 10 percent of the total taxable sales in the region.

In Washoe County, sales by vehicle dealers and automotive parts companies during March fell by 43 percent from a year earlier. That translates into more than $35 million in lost sales.

Carson City posted a similar percentage decline, and the lost sales amounted to more than $8 million.

Other big-ticket retailers in Reno and Sparks also took a hit during March.

Furniture sales in Washoe County were off by 38 percent, electronics stores reported a 56 percent decline, and retailers that sell building materials and garden supplies posted a 25.5 percent decline.

Grocers, however, saw an 8.5 percent increase over March 2008 figures.

Among other major categories:

* Clothing sales fell in Washoe County by 23 percent from their level in March 2008.

* General merchandise stores recorded a 10 percent sales decline.

* Health and personal care retailers recorded an 11.5 percent decline.