The Washington State Department of Revenue estimates Whatcom County retail sales in the fourth quarter were $771.5 million, down 1.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. However, retail trade - sales made in stores, were at $369.6 million, up 2.8 percent compared to the same period in 2008.
This information came across late in the day Wednesday, so I’ll look at it a little deeper on Thursday. At first glance, however, it appears the holiday shopping season was a decent one for local retailers. Retail trade was up in every community except Lynden and Everson. Here are the numbers, by community, for the fourth quarter of 2009 and percentage change from fourth quarter of 2008:
Bellingham: Retail sales $495.8 million, down 1.6 percent. Retail Trade: $295.8 million, up 4.13 percent.
Blaine: Retail sales $31.2 million, up 2.7 percent. Retail Trade: $8.4 million, up 11 percent.
Everson: Retail sales $4.9 million, down 16.9 percent. Retail Trade: $1.9 million, down 5 percent.
Ferndale: Retail sales $34.1 million, down 15.1 percent. Retail Trade: $13.9 million, up 2.8 percent.
Lynden: Retail sales $42.6 million, down 8.8 percent. Retail Trade: $17.8 million, down 4.2 percent.
Nooksack: Retail sales $1.8 million, down 12.1 percent. Retail Trade: $911,671, up 11 percent.
Sumas: Retail sales $4.4 million, up 24.2 percent. Retail Trade: $1.7 million, up 35.9 percent.
Whatcom: Retail sales $771.5 million, down 1.2 percent. Retail Trade: $369.6 million, up 2.8 percent.
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