While we haven’t yet been able to rip off those masks, there are new signs that Lawrence’s economy has become unshackled from pandemic-era restrictions. In fact, one set of numbers shows retail spending is now well above pre-pandemic levels. The Kansas Department of Revenue has released its May report on sales tax activity across the state. While the report is labeled as being for May, most of the numbers actually represent sales made in March. That makes it an especially interesting report. If you remember, March 2020 is when things became a little wobbly. (When your head starts spinning faster than the Earth, wobbliness is a side effect.) That was the first month the pandemic started having major economic impacts in Lawrence. So, that means this latest report from the state is the first time we can look at how Lawrence’s retail economy is doing today compared to how it was doing a year ago when we were mired in the pandemic.
Source: LJWorld.com.
