Only Aroostook County has higher retail sales

Figures for the first quarter of 1990 show Maine’s consumer sales continuing the no-growth, or slow-growth trend that has characterized the retail sector for more than a year. But consumers in Aroostook County are bucking the statewide trend.

According to figures compiled by the Maine State Planning Office, consumer sales totaled $1.47 billion during the first quarter, essentially unchanged from the same period in 1989.

In the Northern Maine District, which includes Aroostook County and the northern tip of Penobscot County, sales increased 8 percent, to a total of $76.1 million, between the first quarters of 1989 and 1990. It was the only area of the state to register an increase.

Total sales actually declined in York, Androscoggin and Kennebec counties and in the midcoastal and eastern Maine districts, which extend from Sagadahoc to Washington counties. Sales registered no change in Cumberland and Penobscot counties.

Building supplies and automobile sales continued to be the biggest losers in the sluggish retail sector. Statewide, sales of building supplies fell 13 percent, and auto sales declined 5 percent. But in Aroostook County, building-supply sales increased 10 percent, and in the immediate area around Presque Isle, sales of building supplies increased 28 percent.

With the exception of Cumberland and Aroostook counties, every area of the state saw auto sales decline. In Aroostook County, automobile spending increased 7 percent, and in Cumberland County sales increased 2 percent.

York County auto dealers apparently are suffering the most. Auto sales declined 17 percent in that county.

The retail sector with the best results was food stores. Sales at food stores increased 10 percent. This counts only items not intended for home consumption.

According to the State Planning Office, the food store data typically represents 20 to 25 percent of total sales in food stores.

Sales at general merchandise stores registered a gain of 3 percent.

Interestingly, the only area in the state not to register a sales increase at general merchandise stores was Aroostook County, where sales remained unchanged.

Restaurants and lodging places recorded a statewide sales increase of 5 percent.