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 a steady upward trend in overall retail sales in Metro Kansas City. This is not too surprising in a region with a growing population and economy.

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

While the trend is consistently upward the rate of that change can fluctuate significantly year to year. The chart below shows the rate of change in retail sales since 1999. The average rate of growth over this period was just over 3% with the most recent rate of change (2005 to 2006) being the best year to year change at 4.3%. The nadir was between 2001 and 2002 when the national and local economies experienced a mild recession.

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

Partial data for 2007 shows us that 2007 will be slightly better than 2006 in the retail sales front. The chart below shows figures from the first three quarters in 2007 are ahead of those quarters in 2006.

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

Retail sales tax data by county is also available.

• Annual retail sales by county since 1999 (Excel)
• Quarterly retail sales comparison over the last 2 years (Excel)