Tourism fuels retail sales rise
Retail sales continued their upward trend in June, rising 2.6% compared to the same month in 2009.
Total taxable retail sales in June were $1.62 billion, up from $1.58 billion in June 2009, according to the Maine State Planning Office. Sales in all categories showed an increase, with the largest jump -- 5.8% -- in lodging. An increase in lodging sales is one sign that Maine's tourism industry is bouncing back from a rocky 2009 season. In the month of July, the state's hotels had an occupancy rate of 74%, a 10.7 percentage-point increase over July 2009, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Business operating sales also rose, up 5.5% over June 2009. Year-to-date sales are up by 3.4% compared with the same period last year. In May, retail sales rose 2% over the previous year.
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