By Rupert Howell
Panola County is ranked 24th of 82 counties in the amount of retail sales volume according to figures from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Figures provided indicate that there were $463,847,071 in Panola County retail sales during Mississippi’s previous fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, compared to $450,348,460 the year prior representing an additional $13,498,611 or a three percent increase.

Statewide sales increased 3.65 percent during the same period.

Monthly reports indicate a lion’s share of sales coming from groceries and food, $7,794,956 as well as automobiles, $7,171,597 during the month of June.

General merchandise and building supplies follow with sales reported as $6,424,792 and $4,260,965 respectively.

The City of Batesville also sells and collects the lion’s share of retail and taxes showing approximately $1.7 million collected in taxes of the county’s total of approximately $2.4 million in sales taxes collected.