Other Data: Retail Sales

Retail sales are a good measure of overall economic health. Local governments pay particularly close attention to these figures as much of their revenue is generated from retail sales taxes. The chart below shows real retail sales have declined over the past two years during the recession. Even longer term, it is somewhat concerning that real retail sales have, at best, stagnated since 2000.

Source: Missouri Dept. of Revenue, Kansas Dept. of Revenue

The annual change chart below shows this same trend. There were only two years since 2000 that had more retail sales activity than the year before. And those were very slight increases.

Source: Missouri Dept. of Revenue, Kansas Dept. of Revenue

The recent decline brought on by the recession is evident in the quarterly chart below. Retail sales figures in 2009 are significantly below the 2007 and 2008's quarterly figures.

Source: Missouri Dept. of Revenue, Kansas Dept. of Revenue

Retail sales tax data by county is also available.

• Retail Sales Data
• Retail Sales by County