Taxable sales surge in November

A strong month in November opened the Christmas shopping season with online retailers posting the second highest sales in Douglas County.

According to the Nevada Department of Taxation, the county’s merchants posted an 18 percent increase in taxable sales to $88 million during the month.

Nonstore retailers reported $9.9 million in sales during the month, which included Cyber Monday. 

General merchandise sales actually saw a 1.5 percent dip from November 2020 to bring in $10.8 million during the month. Those stores include 95 retail outlets across the county.

Vying for a rare third place in November was manufactures of durable goods, which posted $9.2 million in sales, doubling the sales in November 2020.

Long one of the county’s most consistent sectors, food services and drinking places, brought in $8.18 million. The sector reflects the health of the Stateline casino corridor. 

Gaming numbers for November showed a 5.96 percent increase at the Stateline casinos over 2020, bringing in $18.1 million during the month. That increase was dwarfed by December which jumped 18.95 percent to $18.56 million and brought the casinos to within 6.44 percent of breaking even compared with the prior year.

Building material, garden equipment and supplies reported $5.9 million in sales, up 14.3 percent since November 2020. Furniture and home furnishings stores showed a 5.5 percent increase to $3.26 million while electronics and appliance stores sold $3.2 million in taxable items, up 2.4 percent.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers posted a 1.8 percent decrease to $3.97 million.