Aspen retailers post modest gains in 2018

Aspen retailers combined to generate 3.8 percent more in sales in 2018 over 2019, according to the city Finance Department’s monthly consumption tax report issued last week.

Led by the accommodations sector, Aspen’s retail industry brought in $760 million last year, the report shows. All of Aspen’s retail segments, other than automobile, posted gains in 2018.

Here’s a snapshot:

• Accommodations —$220.5 million, up 1.7 percent over 2017

• Restaurants/bars —$131.6 million, up 1.4 percent

• Sports equipment/clothing — $50.4 million, up 5.1 percent

• Clothing —$60 million, up 4.1 percent

• Food/drug — $57.2 million, up 1.9 percent

• Liquor — $10.7 million, up 2.2 percent

• Miscellaneous — $62.6 million, up 24.3 percent

• Construction — $57.9 million, up 0.3 percent

• Luxury goods — $30.7 million, up 3.9 percent

• Utilities — $46.1 million, up 6.4 percent

• Automobile — $20 million, down 3.8 percent

• Marijuana — $11.8 million, up 3.8 percent

The month of December, in the meantime, essentially mirrored December 2017 in sales, according to the report.

December accounted for $108.4 million in revenue, 0.1 percent higher than December 2017.

For all of 2018, the city collected $15.9 million through its 2.1 percent sales tax, slightly above the city’s forecast of $15.6 million for the year.

The city’s 1.5 percent lodging tax, which benefits Aspen tourism promotion, accounted 2.7 million in revenue last year, up 1 percent over 2017.

The 0.5 lodging tax reserved for transportation amounted to $913,089 in revenue for the city, a 1 percent improvement over 2017, the report shows.