Sales Tax-Free Weekend Lures Shoppers From Beaches

August 17, 2015

Curt Nickisch

Retailers across Massachusetts are reporting a good number of extra rings at the cash register over the sales tax holiday last weekend.

"[Especially] when you consider the fact that it was a very nice weather weekend," said Jon Hurst, head of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, which lobbied for the August 15-16 tax break.

Retailers in western Massachusetts, such as this store in Williamstown, report a higher number of shoppers from New York over the sales tax weekend. (Curt Nickisch/WBUR) — Retailers in western Massachusetts, such as this store in Williamstown, reported a higher number of shoppers from New York over the sales tax weekend. (Curt Nickisch/WBUR)

"Stores would have been absolutely empty, and everyone would have been at the beaches. I think everyone’s pleased," he added.

Hurst's organization is conducting a survey of its members, many of them small businesses. However, it will be weeks until official numbers on state sales tax receipts are out. (State government figures show consumers saved $24.6 million during the weekend last year.)

Hurst says early reports from retailers along the border show an extra bump in sales from out-of-staters who decided to make a Bay State shopping trip.

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