Maine’s retail sales held steady in March, though a few categories saw some decreases.
Total taxable retail sales in March were $1.28 billion, only a 0.1% increase from March 2010, according to the Maine State Planning Office. Lodging and auto and transportation saw the biggest increases, rising 4.9% and 2.5%, respectively. Restaurant, food store and other sales also recorded increases. Building supply sales, meanwhile, fell nearly 7% compared with March 2010, and general sales fell 4.4%.
Personal retail sales fell less than 1%, while business operation sales increased 3.9% over the same month last year.
