Retail Sales Rise Nearly 10 Percent

By Dave Gallagher, The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, Wash.

May 11–Cash registers were working overtime in 2005 for Whatcom County businesses, as total retail sales rose 9.6 percent over the previous year, the biggest increase since 1999.

The Washington state Department of Revenue reported Wednesday that Whatcom County retailers generated more than $2.85 billion in sales last year, up from $2.6 billion in 2004.

The sharp increase in sales also mirrored what is happening in the rest of the state, said Mike Gowrylow, a spokesman for the Department of Revenue. Statewide taxable retail sales rose 9.3 percent, the highest since 1990. In 2005 retail sales in Washington state totaled $101.37 billion.

“Most of the state saw strong, consistent numbers across the board, whether it was in car sales or construction,” Gowrylow said.

The rise in local retail sales continues a trend that began in 2002. Whatcom County retail sales rose 5.8 percent that year, 8.4 percent in 2003 and 7.4 percent in 2004. Total retail sales include a wide variety of industries such as construction, real estate, insurance and general merchandise.

Local businesses have noticed the rising trend in retail sales. David VanderHoek, co-owner of Ace Hardware & Sports in Lynden, said his company has seen annual sales increase about 10 percent in recent years. He said his company’s rise in sales is mirroring the growth Lynden has seen.

“We’ve noticed a big difference as this community grows,” VanderHoek said. “Even though the Canadian dollar has been strong, it is the local shopper we are seeing more often in the store.”

Jonni Gonzales, co-owner of the gift store Berry Fields in Lynden, said when she was considering the idea of opening a business, she was surprised at the vibrancy of the downtown district.

“Every time I visited downtown Lynden, not only were there people walking around downtown, they always seemed to be holding shopping bags,” said Gonzales, who opened the business in March. “That was a good sign for me.”

In the past 15 years, Whatcom County has seen total retail sales rise above 10 percent. In 1999 the jump was 10.2 percent, and in 1991 the rise was 10.8 percent.

In 1990, the county experienced a 20.1 percent jump in retail sales. That was the year the Canadian dollar strengthened considerably.

Reach Dave Gallagher at 715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com.

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