The allocation of sales and use taxes for Artesia's January through March sales was 2.2 percent higher than the same quarter one year ago, but a retroactive adjustment that cut receipts from the automotive group skewed the data. Actual sales rose 7.7 percent when this and other anomalies were excluded.
Sales increased from some categories in the building and construction group and several classifications of general consumer goods, including jewelry stores. Receipts were up from auto repair, auto supply and restaurants serving beer and wine. Payment anomalies inflated results from home furnishings, and restaurants-liquor but understated increases from quick service eateries, which benefited from a new outlet.
Sales declined from light industrial/printers in the business and industry group. Business closeouts contributed to losses from specialty stores and service stations. A late posting trimmed receipts from the food and drugs group.
Adjusted for reporting aberrations, sales and use tax receipts for all of Los Angeles county increased 4.9 percent over the same period; the Southern California region, as a whole was up 6.5 percent.