TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – Retail and restaurant sales across the country rose by billions from June to July.

However, when looking at retailers in Southern Arizona, we see a decline in several industries.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales increased by 1%, but certain stores in the Tucson area are seeing a different trend.

“Sales always drop in the summer,” says Holly Harper, owner of Birdhouse yarn,“Usually, people leave town after May. People like the snowbirds leave town for the summer, which affects revenue and means we don’t get as many visitors. We get a lot of visitors all year round, but not in the summer.”

Heat is not the only factor that triggers the change.

Clothing and clothing accessories were among the markets that have not seen much growth since June, with the Census Bureau reporting a preliminary decline of 0.1 percent.

“It really matters what business you are in and where you are in the country, that really matters,” Harper said. “You can’t just apply the U.S. number and assume it applies to everyone.”

Harper said from June to July, overall sales at her store fell 35 percent.

To compensate for the lower traffic, Harper organizes events to attract more customers to the store.

She also has a loyal customer base that wants to support local Tucson businesses. She says that while other stores may offer the same goods for less, local stores offer a more personalized shopping experience.

“It’s definitely about getting people interested in different things, getting them into the store and showing them what we have. And once they’re here, they’re inspired,” she said.

The Census Bureau report is available HERE.

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