In tax data released today by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, over the course of 2008, local retail sales declined, while, during the same period, sales increased in Augusta, Louisa, Greene and Waynesboro.
The data, collected by UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center, showed that retail sales for 2008 were down 4.38 percent in Albemarle—compared to those in 2007— and down 3.22 percent in Charlottesville. Neighboring localities did a lot better: Augusta County saw an increase of 5.8 percent, Greene County of 4.71 percent, Waynesboro of .97 percent, and the highest increase was recorded in Louisa County with 13.71 percent.
According to the data, Albemarle and Charlottesville contributed $2.27 billion in total retail sales, and was down $91.4 million compared to 2007. The biggest loss of the year at 15.34 percent was registered in the city in July. As for Albemarle, September was a tough month with a reported 10.43 percent loss.
