Jacksonville's retail sales slump continues into 3rd month, based on sales tax returns

Lackluster sales in Jacksonville continue to cast a financial cloud over the economy in Cherokee County.

For the third consecutive month, sales in Jacksonville have decreased over the same period a year ago.

As the largest city in the county with the broadest retail base, Jacksonville accounts for approximately 83 percent of all sales tax collected among cities in Cherokee County.

According to figures just released by State Comptroller Susan Combs, Jacksonville's year-to-date sales are 4.83 less than the same period a year ago.

Other local cities, yearto date, are posting mixed results.

The largest gain was posted by Wells, with a 21.77 percent increase for the first five months of the year.

Cuney follows with 16.86 percent; Rusk, 12.31 percent, Alto, 8.65 percent and New Summerfield, 3.51 percent.

Sales tax collections for Cherokee County are also up 14.93 percent, year-todate.

Officials with the state comptroller's office say that wide fluctuations are to be expected in small cities because sometimes retailers are late submitting their sales tax.

Sales tax figures reflect purchases made during May and remitted to the state comptroller's office during June.