Total retail sales within the city have increased approximately 15% since 1993 (adjusted for inflation). There is a close correlation between retail sales and the strength of local fisheries. In 1995, after a record- breaking salmon season, retail sales climbed 9%. In the second half of 1996, when the salmon harvest dropped and prices fell, retail sales went down approximately 10-to-12%. Overall, the highs and lows of our diversified economy counter balance each other and the average sales tend to be fairly consistent as you can see from the 4 quarter average in the graph above.