Taxable retail sales in Whatcom County increased 7.9 percent to more than $860 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same time in 2011.
That's according to the latest numbers released by the state Department of Revenue last week.
Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President Ken Oplinger says much of the increase in sales is coming from local shoppers, because border crossings have only been going up a little...
Statewide, taxable retail sales increased 5.4 percent to $28.8 billion during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
Construction was up 6.1 percent, accommodations and food services increased 5.6 percent, motor vehicles and parts rose 15.7 percent, and general merchandise stores were up 4.7 percent in the third quarter.
