Retail sales in Kewanee grew in 2024 for the seventh straight year.

Figures released last week by the Illinois Department of Revenue show that sales in the city totaled $271 million, up 4.1 percent from 2023.

Adding to the total was a strong retail performance in the city in the last three months of 2024. Fourth-quarter sales increased 8.7 percent over the same period in 2023.

Increases were 26 percent in the food category, 13 percent in lumber and building supplies, 23 percent in small retail, 2.8 percent in eating and drinking places and 1.6 percent for general merchandise.

For all of 2024, there were increases of 8 percent in general merchandise, 7.6 percent in food, 3.3 percent in apparel and 11 percent in small retail.

Illinois as a whole saw a 3.6 percent increase in retail sales.

“While some of this can be attributed to inflation, it still beats the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index of 2.8 percent,” said Mark MIkenas, executive director of the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce.