Whatcom retail sales hit all-time high in third quarter

Led by a jump in construction projects, Whatcom County posted its highest-ever total in retail sales during the third quarter of 2015.

Retail sales were $994.3 million between July and September last year, a 5.8 percent increase compared to a year ago, according to new data from the Washington State Department of Revenue. The previous high sales total was the third quarter of 2014, at $939.3 million.