Marin retail sales hit by economic worries

Fears that the economy is sliding back into recession have had a negative impact on retail sales in Marin County. According to data released by the State Board of Equalization, just $2.6 million in sales tax distributions were made to cities in Marin in September. That total represents a fall of 6.5% over September 2010, and is also 3.9% less than the September total in the depths of the 2009 recession.

As the chart below shows, the rolling 3-month average for 2011 is tracking an almost identical path to 2008. Does this mean 2012 will turn out to be another 2009? Let's hope not.