MONEY: December sales down across industries | The Sierra Vista Herald

In December, inflation-adjusted retail, accommodation, and restaurant and bar sales in Cochise County were down, compared to December 2012.

Countywide retail sales were down 12.8 percent in December, after adjusting for inflation. Despite the decline, sales were up 1.5 percent overall for the year. Retail sales countywide have been up in 16 of the past 22 months.

At the state level, retail sales were up 15.4 percent in December. Statewide sales were up 7.3 percent in 2013, considerably outpacing sales performance in Cochise County.

Countywide restaurant and bar sales were down 4.2 percent in December, after the inflation adjustment.

In 2013, sales were down 0.5 percent for the year. Sales have been down in 20 of the past 27 months.

Arizona’s restaurant and bar sales were down 1.2 percent in December. Overall, however, sales were up 2.2 percent in 2013.

Accommodation sales countywide were down 3.8 percent in December compared to December 2012. In 2013, sales were down 12.2 percent. Accommodation sales include hotel, motel, RV Park, and other temporary lodging stays of less than 30 days.

The countywide accommodation industry has struggled in recent years with sales down in 34 of the past 39 months. The decline is due largely to changes in travel policy for military personnel Best Deals temporary duty to Fort Huachuca, requiring many to now be billeted on post, along with defense budget cuts that have slowed temporary duty travel to the fort.

Statewide accommodation sales were down 4.8 percent in December but were up 0.4 percent for the year in 2013.

At the city level, retail sales in Benson were up 4 percent in December compared to December 2012. In 2013, however, sales were down 0.7 percent.

Restaurant and bar receipts in Benson were up 8 percent in December. In 2013, sales were up 17.9 percent for the year. Sales have been up in 12 of the past 14 months, following declines in 26 of 28 months.Benson’s accommodation receipts in December were down 21.8 percent from December 2012. For the year, however, sales were up 29.3 percent. Sales have been up in 12 of the most recent 18 months.

The overall strong performance of Benson’s hospitality industries in 2013 was due largely to completion of highway construction along I-10. While construction was ongoing, it deterred travelers along the interstate from stopping in Benson.

In Bisbee, retail sales were down 8.4 percent in December compared to December 2012. In 2013, sales were down 2.3 percent. Despite the overall drop, sales have been up in eight of the past 15 months, following declines in seven of eight months.

Restaurant and bar sales in Bisbee were up 33.3 percent in December. Sales have been up in seven of the past nine months. In 2013, sales were up 8.3 percent for the year.

Bisbee’s accommodation receipts were up 70.5 percent in December. For the year, however, sales were down 10.8 percent. Sales have been down in 14 of the most recent 20 months.

In Douglas, retail sales were down 1.5 percent in December compared to December 2012. In 2013, overall sales were up 0.1 percent. Restaurant and bar sales in Douglas were down 0.5 percent in December. Sales have been down in nine of the past 13 months. In 2013, however, sales were up 1.3 percent due to strong performance in the months that saw growth. Accommodation receipts in Douglas were down 7.7 percent in December. In 2013, sales were down 13.1 percent. Sales have been down in 18 of the past 24 months.

Huachuca City’s retail sales were up 6.5 percent in December, compared to December 2012. In 2013, sales were up 2.4 percent for the year. Despite the overall increase, sales have been down in 19 of the past 25 months. Huachuca City’s retail sales for 2013 were pushed into positive territory by exceptionally strong growth in the months that saw growth and modest declines in those that saw sales fall. Accommodation and restaurant and bar sales data are not available for Huachuca City. In Sierra Vista, retail sales were up 2 percent in December. In 2013, sales were up 3.5 percent. Sales have been up in 11 of the past 13 months.

Restaurant and bar sales in Sierra Vista were down 10.6 percent in December, compared to December 2012. In 2013, sales were down 5.3 percent. Sales have been down in 27 of the past 35 months.

Sierra Vista’s accommodation sales were up 4.5 percent in December. For the year, however, sales were down 28.3 percent. Sales have been down in 32 of the most recent 35 months.

In Tombstone, retail sales were up 155 percent in December. In 2013, sales were up 9.1 percent. Despite the overall increase for the year, spurred by strong growth in December, sales have been down in nine of the past 15 months.

Tombstone’s restaurant and bar sales were down 21.7 percent in December. In 2013, sales were down 3.9 percent. Sales have been down in seven of the most recent nine months.

Accommodation sales in Tombstone were down 66.6 percent in December. In 2013, sales were down 2.5 percent for the year.

In Willcox, retail sales were down 11.1 percent in December compared to December 2012. For the year, sales were down 9.3 percent. Sales have been down in 11 of the past 14 months. Restaurant and bar sales in Willcox were down 22.4 percent in December. For 2013, sales were down 4.6 percent. Sales have been down in 12 of the most recent 20 months.

Accommodation receipts in Willcox were down 26.9 percent in December. For the year, sales were down 0.1 percent. Sales have been down in six of the most recent 10 months.

Dr. Robert Carreira is director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College. If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or by email at [email protected]. Check out the CER’s website at www.cochise.edu/cer.