first on decorahnews.com: Retail sales have fallen in Winneshiek County

Winneshiek County retailers might have one more reason to wish for a prosperous Christmas shopping season.

Figures from the State of Iowa show that retail sales in Winneshiek County have dropped so far this year.  The latest retail sales tax report places retail sales at just under $49 million for the second quarter of 2010 and at just under $39 million for the first quarter of 2010.  By comparison, retail sales were $53.5 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $41 million for the first quarter of 2009.  That means retail sales have declined eight percent from 2009.

Winneshiek County's retail trends tend to mirror national trends, but often a year later than the national trends.  The State of Iowa figures show the recession's impact in Winneshiek County, which had been less during 2009 than the national impact, is now growing in 2010.