Retail Sales up Slightly in October

Area retail sales numbers reported in October were mixed for 2025 when compared to 2024.  That is according to the latest figures reported by the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retail sales in Valentine were 6.2 million dollars in October, which was up a modest 4% from 2024.

Ainsworth was up 13.2% with sales totaling $3.4 million dollars. Gordon was down 10.2%, Rock County reported a 12.7% decrease, Broken Bow was down less than 1% with 7.4 million dollars in sales.

O’Neill reported 8.4 million dollars for October, which was up 15%.

Larger cities like Lincoln and Grand Island were both up over 4%, while Omaha had a 2% decline in retail sales.

Across the board, statewide sales tax collections were up less than 1% in October.