Retail sales in Snowmass were little changed in November

Sales tax revenue in Snowmass Village was almost flat in November compared with the same month in 2012.

Collections from the town’s 1 percent sales tax totaled $32,369.84, according to a report from the town Finance Department. That’s a 1.6 percent increase over November 2012.

The town also received several late payments from October taxes, bringing the total for that month to $27,204.34, a 7.9 percent decrease from October 2012 as opposed to the 15.5 percent formerly reported.

The Finance Department’s report divides businesses into industry categories. It does not report on individual businesses.

Industry categories that saw increases include lodging, 12.7 percent; restaurants, 5.5 percent; sports equipment and clothing, 42.8 percent; and utilities, 6.8 percent. Categories that experienced decreases were food, drug and liquor stores, 5.5 percent; general retail, 16.7 percent; and miscellaneous, 83.6 percent.

Lodging tax collections rose 13.4 percent. An occupancy report by resort-tracking organization DestiMetrics said that Snowmass Village lodges were 8.9 percent more full than in November 2012.

Collections for the real estate transfer tax fund rose by 47.7 percent.

Snowmass ski area opened for the season on Nov. 23, a few days ahead of its planned opening, due to heavy snowfall just before the season.