June 22, 2020

Sioux Falls took in 13 percent less in sales tax revenue in May compared with a year ago, driven by big drops in several industries.

That follows a 2.6 percent year-over-year drop in April. The 12-month rolling average is down 4.4 percent.

Industries experiencing reduced sales in May included:

• Lodging, down $7.2 million, or 82 percent.
• Drinking establishments, down $3.5 million, or 74 percent.
• Apparel, down $11.9 million, or 71 percent.
• Beauty shops, down $2.5 million, or 63 percent.
• Restaurants, down $15.4 million, or 44 percent.
• Amusement and recreation services, down $3.9 million, or 41 percent.
• Health services, down $2.4 million, or 38 percent.
• Wholesale trade, down $18.2 million, or 36 percent.

Some industries did see increased sales though.

Those include:

• Remote retailer sales, up $11.8 million, or 86 percent.
• Liquor stores, up $900,000, or 74 percent.
• Gas stations, up $1 million or 24 percent.
• Lumber, hardware and garden supplies, up $4.2 million, or 13 percent.
• Real estate agents and managers, up $700,000, or 11 percent.
• Grocery and food stores, up $2.7 million, or 8 percent.
• Department and general merchandise stores, up $3.9 million, or 7 percent.
• Manufacturing, up $1 million, or 7 percent.

The city’s entertainment tax dropped 47.3 percent, after falling 24.3 percent in April. The cumulative 12-year rate is down 1.4 percent.