Chamber Reports 2017-Q1: Retail Sales In Region Were Mixed

SALES UP IN ALBEMARLE, AUGUSTA, FLUVANNA & LOUISA,SALES DROPPED IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, GREENE & WAYNESBORO

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce today released compiled sales & use tax data which show that during 2017’s first quarter (January-March) retail sales throughout the region were mixed compared with the first quarter of last year.

It is important to note differing leading Easter holiday sales timing affect comparisons – as Easter 2017 occurred in April (16^th); Easter 2016 occurred in March (27^th); Easter 2015 in April (5^th).

Virginia Department of Taxation sales tax data showed that retail sales during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 year were up in: Albemarle County +%; Augusta County +%; Fluvanna County, +%; and, Louisa County, +%.  Retail sales during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 dropped in: City of Charlottesville %; Greene County, %; and, Waynesboro %.

Over the first quarter of 2017, Albemarle & Charlottesville, the region’s retail hub, in the aggregate, accounted for $629 million (+% v. 2016-Q1) in total retail sales (not including motor vehicle or gasoline/diesel sales) – an increase of $22.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2016.

The 2016 Chamber Jobs Report data show that the largest segment of all private sector jobs – 17,183 or 19.9% – within the Greater Charlottesville region, are in “Trade, Transportation & Utilities;” most of those jobs in retail.

Christina Schlottenmeier & Jamie Boyers of Great Eastern Management Company regularly and voluntarily, compile this data and other data for the Chamber.