June 9, 2022

After a slight decline in 2020, the state’s taxable retail sales showed major gains in 2021, reaching $210.4 billion – a 17.9% increase over 2020.  

Retail trade, a subset of all taxable retail sales in the state, also increased 16.1% for a total of $94   billion. Retail trade includes sales of items such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, but excludes other industries, such as services and construction.

Taxable retail sales are transactions subject to the retail sales tax, including sales by retailers, the construction industry, manufacturing, and other sectors. 

These figures are part of an annual report released today by the Washington State Department of Revenue. 

Here are some sectors that saw increases in taxable retail sales in 2021 compared to 2020:

• Taxable retail sales reported by new and used auto dealers rose 21.8% to bring in $16.5 billion.
• Construction increased 16.2% to a total of $43.1 billion.
• Furniture and home furnishings increased 25.9% bringing in $3.4 billion.
• Building materials, garden equipment and supplies rose 11.5% bringing in $10.3 billion.
• Taxable retail sales in general merchandise stores grew by 9.2% to a total of $13.5 billion. 
• Apparel and Accessories sales increased by 41.1% to a total of $5.3 billion.