A 17 percent jump in construction and increased sales of building materials helped boost the state’s taxable retail sales in the second quarter of 2018. The sales increased by 10.6 percent over the same period in 2017, reaching $42.7 billion.

Retail trade, a subset of all taxable retail sales in the state, also increased by 7.4 percent to a total of $17.8 billion, according to a state report released in November.

Taxable retail sales are transactions subject to retail sales tax, including sales by retailers, the construction industry, manufacturing and other sectors. Retail trade includes sales of items such as clothing, furniture and automobiles, but excludes other industries, such as services and construction.

Benton and Franklin counties also boasted positive gains.

Benton County’s taxable retail sales totaled more than $1 billion in the second quarter, up 3.26 percent from the previous year’s quarter. Benton County’s retail trade sales totaled $523 million, up 5.13 percent from the previous year’s quarter.

Kennewick’s taxable retail sales increased 6.91 percent; Richland’s increased 4.47 percent; West Richland’s dropped 7.27 percent; and Prosser dipped nearly 2 percent.

Franklin County’s taxable retail sales totaled nearly $430 million, up 7.07 percent over the previous year. Franklin County’s retail trade sales totaled $219 million, up nearly 11 percent over the previous year.

Pasco’s taxable retail sales increased 7.2 percent; Connell’s dropped 6.2 percent.

These figures are part of a quarterly report recently released by the state Department of Revenue. The taxable retail sales figures compare the same quarter year-over-year to equalize any seasonal effects that would influence consumer and business spending.

Some statewide highlights of second quarter 2018 (April to June) taxable retail sales and retail trade sales include:

• Construction rose 17 percent to $8.8 billion.
• Taxable retail sales reported by new and used auto dealers increased 2 percent to $3.5 billion.
• Electronic and appliance sales increased 11.8 percent to $1 billion.
• Building materials increased 9.4 percent to $1.9 billion.
• Drug and health store sales jumped 6.8 percent to $780 million.

Of the top 10 most populated counties in the state, King and Kitsap counties saw the largest overall taxable retail sales percentage increase. Seattle and Puyallup saw the largest increase of the most populated cities.