The state’s taxable retail sales in Washington state reached nearly $31 billion in the second quarter of 2014 (April 1 – June 30), recording a 6.8 percent increase over the same period in 2013. Retail trade, a subset of total taxable retail sales, rose 5.4 percent to $13.9 billion.

These figures are detailed in the Washington State Department of Revenue’s quarterly report of taxable retail sales. The report compares the second quarters of 2014 to 2013, which equalizes any seasonal effects of consumer purchasing habits.

Taxable sales were up in many sectors including new and used auto sales – 6.9 percent, building materials, gardening supplies and equipment – 7.5 percent, construction of new buildings – 9.3 percent and e-commerce and mail order sales – 20.8 percent.

King County was up 7.9 percent with $12.2 billion in taxable retail sales and 6.1 percent in retail trade at $4.8 billion. Snohomish County was up 5.9 percent at $2.9 billion in taxable retail sales and was up 7.5 percent at $1.6 billion in retail trade.