SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "December’s retail sales bring strong end to 2011"

Aspen's folks voted an increase to the tourism lodging tax at mid-terms because they have a vetted trust in their tourism  marketing vendor and the oversight of the City of Aspen.

According to these figures released up on the Aspen Daily today?

The result is a 217% increase to tourism marketing funds available.  One year, that much of an increase.  Congratulations!!

On a side note, SandBox has listened to the grumbles of the small business community in Glenwood Springs for nearly two years now.  Wondering why it is so hard for the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and the City of Glenwood Springs management to put out detailed sales tax reporting.

So, (sigh..rolls eyes..) let's toss up (again) how easy that is to do.

Aspen Daily News:

"With a strong December, the newly expanded tourist promotion lodging tax ended the year up 217 percent compared to 2010. The transportation lodging tax finished 2011 with a 6 percent increase from the prior year.

Aspen’s portion of Pitkin County’s sales tax for November 2011 was up 8 percent from 2010 and 7 percent year-to-date. The housing real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were the highest since 2009, up 44 percent from 2011. The Wheeler real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were up 29 percent compared to 2011.

December year-to-date retail sales:
(Category, YTD retail sales, % change prior year)

Accommodations
$128,386,219
3%
Restaurants and bars
$92,430,999
7%
Sports equipment/clothing
$41,702,789
11%

Clothing
$40,183,162
11%

Food and drug
$47,340,075
2%

Liquor
$8,252,984
5%

General retail
$17,584,794
5%

Construction
$34,280,058
38%

Luxury goods
$24,357,635
14%

Utilities
$38,076,438
(1%)

Automobile
$13,290,185
(2%)

Miscellaneous
$16,892,407
19%

Total
$502,777,747
7%

December monthly retail sales
Category
Retail sales
% change prior year

Accommodations
$22,792,500
15%

Restaurants and bars
$10,888,138
11%

Sports equipment/clothing
$8,843,412
11%

Clothing
$6,491,555
17%

Food and drug
$7,243,596
19%

Liquor
$1,269,333
11%

General retail
$3,011,878
2%
Construction
$4,863,102
51%

Luxury goods
$4,331,841
15%

Utilities
$4,626,883
12%

Automobile
$833,956
(56%)

Miscellaneous
$2,539,697
5%

Total
$77,735,891
13%

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