Washington Retail Sales Increased 6.6 Percent in 2014

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington State Department of Revenue says retail sales increased 6.6 percent from 2013 to 2014.

People paid taxes on an additional $125 billion in purchases during calendar year 2014 compared to 2013.

Tax revenue was pushed upward by new and used car sales, purchases of building materials, mail orders and sales at drug stores.



State officials say the construction industry saw large gains, with an overall increase of about $21 billion in taxable retail trade.

A few industries saw sales drop, including book stores and department stores.

Some of Washington's most populous counties saw big increases in sales tax income, including King, Clark and Spokane counties.