- Cochise County’s May 2026 sales report showed weaker inflation-adjusted retail sales, stronger restaurant activity, and a modest monthly lodging gain. Retail sales were down 1.8% from May 2025 after inflation, nearly matching Arizona’s 1.9% decline. Through May, Cochise County retail sales were down 4.2%, compared with a 2.1% statewide drop.
- Inflation reversed the nominal picture: Cochise County retail sales rose 2.4% before adjustment in May but fell 1.8% after adjustment. Year to date, current-dollar sales slipped 1.1%, while inflation-adjusted sales fell 4.2%.
- Remote sellers continued to outperform broader retail. After inflation, Cochise County remote seller sales rose 12.0% in May and 12.4% year to date. Statewide, they increased 13.9% for the month and 12.3% through May, reflecting continued growth in online and out-of-area purchasing.
- Restaurants and bars were much stronger than retail, with Cochise County sales up 9.7% in May and 2.5% year to date after inflation. Hotel and motel sales rose 2.8% for the month but remained down 2.2% through May; statewide lodging sales were up 2.5% in May and 3.8% year to date.
- Community results varied widely. Benson retail sales fell 1.8% in May and 5.3% year to date after inflation. Restaurant and bar sales rose 4.5% for the month but remained down 11.1% through May. Hotel and motel sales jumped 32.7% in May, though year-to-date sales were still 10.9% below last year.
- Bisbee’s restaurant and bar sales rose 23.4% in May and 10.6% year to date after inflation. Retail sales were up 1.9% for the month but down 9.0% through May, while hotel and motel sales fell 4.6% in May but remained 6.1% higher year to date.
- Douglas was one of the stronger retail markets, with inflation-adjusted sales up 5.0% in May and 4.2% year to date. Restaurant and bar sales rose 0.7% for the month and 8.0% through May.
- Huachuca City reported lower retail sales, with inflation-adjusted totals down 18.7% in May and 14.4% year to date.
- Sierra Vista mirrored the countywide pattern: retail sales fell 1.7% in May and 4.6% year to date after inflation, while restaurant and bar sales rose 11.8% for the month and 4.0% through May. Hotel and motel sales declined 12.7% in May and 11.6% year to date.
- Tombstone was down across retail, restaurants, and lodging. Retail sales fell 7.9% in May and 6.5% year to date after inflation. Restaurant and bar sales declined 14.9% for the month and 4.9% through May, while hotel and motel sales fell 11.9% in May and 5.5% year to date.
- Willcox was mixed. Retail sales dropped 21.3% in May after inflation but were down just 0.9% year to date. Restaurant and bar sales fell 2.7% for the month and 5.5% through May. Hotel and motel sales rose 9.7% in May, though year-to-date sales were still 7.8% below last year.
- Overall, the May data show an uneven Cochise County economy. Inflation-adjusted retail sales remained below last year, restaurant activity improved, and lodging was positive for the month but weaker year to date. Community-level results followed the same mixed pattern, with gains in some places and sectors offset by declines elsewhere.
See spreadsheets, below, for monthly and annual Cochise County, city, and town major industry sales data (retail, restaurant/bar, and hotel/motel/lodging).